Conservatives and Labour performed worst in their own heartlands and saw the Liberal Democrats’ best result in 15 years – outcomes which arguably reflect the UK’s frustration with Brexit.
Now with all votes having been counted in England, it is clear the Lib Dems and Greens made the biggest impact having gained 700 and 200 councillors respectively, leaving the Tories to lose more than 1,300 councillors and Labour 82.
Also acquiring a surge in councillors were the Independent candidates with a rise of 662, however, UKIP – who have had increasing support in last few years – saw their number of councillors plummet by 145.
Despite always doing well in the south-west, support for the Tories was more towards the North with their largest gain being in North East Derbyshire, however, had seven councils swiped from them by the Lib Dems who gained control of 10 councils overall.
More losses for the Conservatives were made clear in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole and Somerset West & Taunton, all of which are fairly new councils, but Labour suffered their biggest loss in Ashfield were 20 councillors were out-run and the council subsequently taken over by Independents.
And with Labour producing poor results in its Northern heartlands along with the Tories in the South, the Green Party were able to take an unusual strong-hold in these two areas in acquiring almost 200 councillors.
Formerly a safe area for UKIP was Thanet but saw its councillors take a blow from Labour who secured their largest increase of 16 councillors.
After seeing such dismal numbers which more so convey voters’ dissatisfaction with central rather than local government, both main parties should now feel compelled to move forward in efforts to secure a Brexit deal that puts society at ease.
And what the final votes also reveal, is that whenever a general election is called, it may result in another hung parliament – leaving the population more divided than ever.
