Local Elections 2008: Liberal Democrats Gain in Manchester

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 2nd May 2008

Manchester Liberal Democrats Made Progress in the 2008 Local Elections

May's local elections saw Liberal Democrats make progress in Manchester. The party now faces the future with a strong team of 33 Councillors and MP John Leech. There are no elected Conservative or Green Councillors in Manchester, with the Lib Dems providing the real opposition to Labour.

There were a number of highlights for the Lib Dems locally. Hard-working local champion Damien O'Connor took a comfortable gain from Labour in Miles Platting and Newton Heath, with a majority of 185. Cllr John Grant defended magnificently in Whalley Range, winning by over 400 votes, whilst the most nail-biting result of the night occurred in Northenden where well-known campaigner Martin Eakins took a seat from a key Labour cabinet member by just 8 votes, after 2 recounts!

The Liberal Democrat also polled strongly in John Leech's Withington Constituency, where the party received nearly 50% of the overall vote, winning 5 of the 7 seats on offer.

Councillor Simon Ashley, Manchester Liberal Democrat Leader, said:

"Liberal Democrats in Manchester are delighted to win 2 new wards, including our first-ever in the Wythenshawe constituency. On the night we defended all our seats bar one. Whilst we were sorry to lose Cllr Liaqat Ali, we are well-placed to make further gains in 4 of Manchester's 5 Parliamentary Constituencies."

End

Manchester Liberal Democrats have 33 Councillors representing 14 of the City's 32 wards. The party holds 16 of the 21 seats in the Withington Constituency, and 12 of the 21 seats in Manchester Gorton.