Council left on knife-edge after elections

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

Olly Wells won a seat in Knaphill

The Conservatives held on to power in Woking by just eleven votes in May's Council elections after a significant swing to the Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats came within just 107 votes of winning overall control of the council - which remains on a knife-edge, with 19 Conservatives to 17 Liberal Democrats. For the second year in a row, Labour failed to win a seat.

There was a massive swing of votes away from the Conservatives and Labour to the Lib Dems. Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson Cllr Rosie Sharpley said:

"Thousands of voters rejected Conservative policies to cut services and increase fees and charges. They benefited the wealthy at the expense of the disabled, disadvantaged and least well-off. Voters want to see prudent financial management and fairness in providing good quality council services for all our residents."

Labour's Nightmare

For the second year running, Labour had a night to forget. After being wiped off the council last year, Gordon Brown's party didn't even manage second place in any ward this year.

Labour's negative campaigning even saw them fall back to third in their former stronghold of Kingfield and Westfield, as it was once again shown that only the Liberal Democrats can beat the Conservatives in Woking.