South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats Councillors have remained the second largest group on the Council despite a punishing election result nationally, which saw the loss of local Lib Dem MP, Steve Webb. 

 The composition on the Council is now Conservatives (40), Lib Dems (16) and Labour (14), giving the Conservatives an overall majority and making the Liberal Democrats the main opposition.

Lib Dem Group Leader Ruth Davis said: “This was clearly a very difficult night for us, nationally and locally. We were of course, gutted to lose such a hard-working local MP in Steve Webb. We also lost five council seats including that of long-serving councillor Adrian Rush, who will be much-missed.

“However, despite these losses, we did better than the national trend, holding the majority of our wards, and seeing two new councillors elected. People in Yate are already telling me how sorry they are to have lost such a great local MP as Steve Webb, and I have no doubt the Lib Dems will bounce back. Across the country the Lib Dems have already gained over 13,000 new members since polling day.

“We will continue to stand up for local residents across South Gloucestershire. We will provide constructive opposition, working together with other parties where we can, but also holding the Conservative majority to account.”