Lib Dems gain most council seats in last five years, party’s data shows

The Lib Dem leader, Ed Davey, celebrates his party’s local election gains at a rally in Winchester on Friday. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

The Lib Dems have added more council seats than any other party over the last parliament, gaining more than 750 in the last five years, largely in the south-west and south of England.

As Ed Davey’s party won more seats than the Conservatives in the local elections last week, the Lib Dems said Tories would be “looking over their shoulder terrified” as the general election approached.