Leaders react to West Berkshire local election

Representatives from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives gave their views on the local elections

REPRESENTATIVES from the three main political parties have given their reaction to the local elections in West Berkshire.

The Conservative party increased its majority on the council by three on Friday after gaining seats in Thatcham South and Crookham and in Thatcham North.

The overall political make-up of the district council now stands at 39 Conservative councillors and 13 Liberal Democrat councillors, although the Labour party was encouraged by a significant increase in its vote, despite not gaining any seats.

Labour party spokesman, Richard Garvie, said that obtaining almost 10 per cent of the vote across the district had made the campaign worthwhile for the party, adding that it showed the party was getting some attention.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat group leader, Jeff Brooks (Thatcham West), said that having 13 councillors gave the party a working opposition to represent the people of West Berkshire and a platform to build back from.

The victorious Conservatives, however, were delighted with the outcome of the elections and group leader, Graham Jones (Lambourn) said the big change had been in Thatcham.

He said that when he joined the council it had been "unthinkable" that the Conservatives could be the dominant party in Thatcham, but he said he was absolutely delighted that the party now had the majority of the seats in the town on district council.

However, the Liberal Democrats have retained control of both Newbury and Thatcham Town Councils.

To see video interviews with Mr Brooks, Mr Garvie and Mr Jones, click on the video link above.