Local elections: Lib Dems benefit as voters snub Tories and Labour

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn see their parties lose control of councils on a night of success for minor parties and independents.

Voters have turned away from the two main parties in a sign the public is fed up of the Brexit turmoil at Westminster.

Local elections across England have seen both the Conservatives and Labour lose control of councils, following a significant swell in support for the Liberal Democrats.

The Greens and independent candidates have also enjoyed success.

More than 8,400 council positions were up for grabs across 248 English local authority areas on Thursday, while Northern Ireland was electing 462 seats in 11 councils.

With dozens of councils left to declare, it is already clear Jeremy Corbyn has failed to make the inroads that might have been expected of an opposition leader eyeing up 10 Downing Street.

Labour has lost more than 90 seats and control of seven councils – Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, Cannock Chase, Burnley, Hartlepool, Wirral and Bolsover – although they gained control of Trafford, Amber Valley and Calderdale to give the party a net loss of five local authorities.

Mr Corbyn said “of course” the party wanted to do better, but the results were a “basis” to win marginal seats in the next general election.