A full breakdown of election results has been released after the Conservatives lost control of South Gloucestershire Council. Almost 72,000 votes were cast yesterday (May 4), with a turnout of 33.57 per cent, and the results began to be announced at the count in the early hours of this morning.
It was the council's first local election since 2019 and many commentators are saying the results will give an indication of where the nation's loyalty lies, when it comes to national issues. The outgoing Conservative leader of South Gloucestershire Council called the result 'clearly disappointing' as the Tories’ eight-year hold on power in the authority was swept aside during a night of losses to both Labour and the Lib Dems.
Speaking to Bristol Live as the result became apparent in the early hours of today at the election count at Thornbury leisure centre, Toby Savage said: “It’s clearly a disappointing evening for the Conservatives in South Gloucestershire and it’s clearly the case that national issues are impacting on these local polls. I feel desperately sad for colleagues who have lost seats because of those national factors. I thank them for the work they’ve done over many years to serve their communities."
