Liberal Democrats take control of Northampton Borough Council

1.47.21am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 5th May 2007

The Lib Dems now run Northampton Borough Council

On Friday 4th May 2007 the Liberal Democrats took control of Northampton Borough Council for the first time as the results for Eastfield ward were declared and the party had gained a total of 9 additional seats across the town.

Lib Dems Sadik Chaudhury and Dennis Meredith took Thorplands ward from Labour after they had represented it for 24 years. "This is a real chance for change in Thorplands and Southfields" said new Councillor Dennis Meredith.

Portia Wilson and Malcolm Mildren took Parklands ward from the Conservatives with a massive 28% swing to the Lib Dems. At 22 years old Portia Wilson is now the youngest Councillor.

Eastfield ward saw Jean Hawkins and Scott Collins take the seats from the Conservatives with a 15.3% swing.

In Spencer ward Lib Dem Mel De Cruz won the second seat from Labour while by-election victor Roger Conroy held on comfortably with a 24.5% swing from Labour.

Finally in St James ward Lib Dems Jenny Conroy and Pam Varnsverry defeated Labour's deputy leader with a 9% swing from Labour to the Lib Dems.

The Lib Dems held all the other 17 seats they hold in the town.

The Council is now made up of:

Lib Dem 26 seats

Con 15

Lab 5

Ind 1

Speaking at the count the new Leader of the Council Tony Woods said " These are tremendous results and reflect the hard work the Lib Dems have been putting in across the town. There is now a great deal of work to do in improving our Council and our town. We look forward to the challenge."

Related Links:

BBC Northamptonshire.

Northampton Borough Council.