Midas Touch: Tory Chairman Hands seats to the Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrats have said Conservative Party chairman Greg Hands has the “Midas Touch,” after scores of areas he visited during the local election campaign turned Lib Dem gold.
Analysis reveals that the Liberal Democrats won 208 council seats in areas in the Blue Wall visited by Greg Hands during the local election campaign, making net gains of 69.
The Lib Dems made net gains in 13 of the 14 Blue Wall council areas visited by Hands. Liberal Democrats also seized control of Stratford on Avon and Guildford, stop-offs on Hands’ nightmare roadtrip.
The Liberal Democrats gained 400 council seats across the country during the local elections, including major wins across the Blue Wall.
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said:
“Greg Hands has got the Midas Touch, almost everywhere he visits turns Lib Dem gold.
“He was brought in to shore up the Blue Wall but ended up seeing it collapse even more.
“Voters across the country are fed up with the Conservative Party and their appalling record on the NHS, cost of living and sewage. We need a general election now so we can kick this out-of-touch Conservative government out of office.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
Blue Wall areas visited by Greg Hands during the local election campaign
Local Authority | LD seats won | Net | |
East Devon | 18 | 10 | |
East Hertfordshire | 10 | 4 | |
Elmbridge | 9 | 6 | |
Guildford | 25 | 8 | LD GAIN |
Lewes | 15 | 7 | |
North Hertfordshire | 8 | 2 | |
Solihull | 3 | 1 | |
South Gloucestershire | 20 | 3 | |
Stockport | 30 | 2 | |
Stratford upon Avon | 25 | 14 | LD Gain |
Watford | 9 | -1 | LD HOLD |
Waverley | 22 | 8 | |
Welwyn Hatfield | 6 | 1 | |
Woking | 8 | 4 | LD HOLD |
All areas visited
Local Authority | LD seats won | Net | Control |
Bury | 0 | -1 | |
Coventry | 0 | 0 | |
Darlington | 3 | 0 | |
East Devon | 18 | 10 | |
East Hertfordshire | 10 | 4 | |
Elmbridge | 9 | 6 | |
Gravesham | 0 | 0 | |
Guildford | 25 | 8 | LD GAIN |
Hartlepool | 0 | 0 | |
High Peak | 1 | -2 | |
Hyndburn | 0 | 0 | |
Lewes | 15 | 7 | |
Medway | 0 | 0 | |
North Hertfordshire | 8 | 2 | |
Peterborough | 4 | 0 | |
Redcar and Cleveland | |||
Rother | 7 | 0 | |
Sandwell | 0 | 0 | |
Solihull | 3 | 1 | |
South Gloucestershire | 20 | 3 | |
Stockport | 30 | 2 | |
Stratford upon Avon | 25 | 14 | LD GAIN |
Swindon | 1 | 1 | |
Thanet | 0 | 0 | |
Walsall | 0 | 0 | |
Watford | 9 | -1 | LD HOLD |
Waverley | 22 | 8 | |
Welwyn Hatfield | 6 | 1 | |
Woking | 8 | 4 | LD HOLD |
Worcester | 2 | 2 |