As you were

Written by MK News on Fri 4th May 2007

LiB Dems still largest party, but tories move into second place Little has changed for Milton Keynes' hung council following the results of the local election.

The Conservative party gained two seats as the Liberal Democrats and Labour both lost one.

But it was not enough to knock the Lib Dems from their perch as the largest party on the council.

The results mean that the Tories become the main opposition party, pinching Middleton and Bletchley and Fenny Stratford from their rivals.

They now hold 15 seats to Labour's 14.

The contest was particularly close in Linford South, with the Lib Dems beat the Tories by 77 votes, and Campbell Park, where Lib Dem Cec Tallec fought off the challenge from Labour candidate Martin Petchey by 112 votes.

Sherington was the wild card, not least because two recounts were ordered after confusion surrounding postal votes.

It was the stage for Lib Dem candidate, 23-year-old Sam Potts to snatch victory from the Conservative's Keith Fraser by just nine votes.

Mr Potts said: "This is an absolutely stunning result for the Lib Dems, it's the highest vote we've ever got in this ward.

"It's a clear indication that the voters have made their decision."

Mr Fraser said: "I think we've done well as a party and I'm only disappointed on a personal level.

"It was always going to be a difficult election and very closely run."

Fomer MP Brian White won Stantonbury for Labour a day before his 50th biorthday and Tory candidate John Bint took the Middleton ward from Lib Dem Cllr Derek Eastman.

The overall turnout was 37 per cent.

Lib Dem Cllr Douglas McCall said: "We're happy and we're still the biggest party on the council.

"The only consolation for the Tories is that they've just pipped Labour to become the main opposition."