A massive shoutout for Thursday’s winners.
By Joe Otten in Liberal Democrat Voice
Originally published by South Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats
The dust has settled from last Thursday, and Liberal Democrats have posted 75 net gains on the day. But a mere number hardly does justice to all the teams behind each result. So here are some shoutouts. In alphabetical order. Well done everyone, brilliant work.
Apologies for any errors - this is coming from local council websites, some of which are easier to use than others. If it isn't clear which seats are gains I've just given a total, but please shoutout in the comments if you know.
Barnsley +1
The marvellous Hannah Kitching becomes the first Liberal Democrat on Barnsley council for a decade. To win from a standing start with a majority of 778 is remarkable. I confess to helping. Hannah also polled a creditable 10.6% in the South Yorkshire mayoral election on the same day, beating my 10.05% in the Police Commissioner election of 2016.
Bolton +1
David Wilkinson in Westhoughton South
Calderdale +1
Amanda Parsons-Hulse gained Warley and Marilyn Greenwood held Greetland and Stainland
Cambridge +1
5 wins with 1 net gain.
Camden +2
3 wins with 2 net gains.
Cheltenham +3
17 wins with 3 net gains.
Cherwell +1
Somebody is the first Lib Dem councillor on Cherwell. Well done. Unfortunately the council website is only publishing one ward result.
Elmbridge +1
3 wins with 1 net gain.
Gosport +4
9 wins with 4 net gains. There are 20 wards here altogether, so this looks like a prospect for taking control before long.
Haringey +6
15 wins with 6 net gains. (7 according to the Guardian).
7 wins with 1 net gain on new boundaries.
Hull +9
24 wins with 9 notional net gains (7 actual) on new boundaries. A phenomenal result. So embarrassing to the Labour Council they don't appear to have published it on the website.
39 wins with 21 net gains, as mentioned earlier.
Liverpool +3
Carole Mary Storey in Childwall, Liz Makinson in Church and Kris Brown in Woolton
Manchester +1
Not apparent on the website, but it was Didsbury West and Richard Kilpatrick.
Merton +5
6 wins with 5 net gains.
Mole Valley +2
6 wins with 2 net gains, taking the council from Con to NOC.
6 wins with 3 net gains.
Oxford +1
5 wins with 1 net gain.
Peterborough +1
3 wins with 1 net gain.
Portsmouth +1
4 wins with 1 net gain.
39 wins with 24 gains, to take control.
Rushmore +1
Another first Lib Dem on the council. Abul Koher Chowdhury in St Mark's
Sheffield +3
Mohammed Mahroof in Crookes & Crosspool (Sheffield Hallam)
Gail Smith in Mosborough
Mike Leverey in West Ecclesfield
and 6 holds.
30 wins and 20 notional gains on new boundaries to take control.
St Albans +2
9 wins with 2 net gains.
Stevenage +1
2 wins with 1 net gain.
Sunderland +3
None to defend, all gains.
Andrew Wood in Millfield
Lynn Appleby in Sandhill
George Smith in Pallion
Tandridge +3
4 wins with 3 net gains.
Three Rivers +1
1 gain, to take control.
2 wins with 1 net gain.
Watford +1
9 wins with 1 net gain to retain control.
6 wins with 3 net gains.
4 wins with 3 net gains.
Winchester +2
Margot Power in Alresford and Itchen Valley
Linda Murphy in St Michael
Winchester is now on a knife edge with 22 Lib Dem and 23 Conservative councillors. With elections by thirds, a repeat of these results would see us take control.
Woking +1
3 wins with 1 gain.
Wokingham +2
4 wins with 2 net gains.
Wyre Forest +1
Alan Totty in Offmore & Comberton
Plaudits to you all and hugs to anyone who didn't quite make it. Roll on next year!
* Joe Otten was the candidate for Sheffield Heeley in June 2017, is a councillor in Sheffield and is Tuesday editor of Liberal Democrat Voice.