Lib Dems win in Gloucestershire as Tories lose seats

The Liberal Democrats have become the largest party on Gloucestershire County Council, with the Conservative Party suffering significant losses.

The Lib Dems took a total of 27 seats – one short of the 28 needed to gain overall control of the council – meaning they will have to negotiate with other parties to form a coalition.

The Conservatives, who have run the council for 20 years, took just six seats and lost more than 20 from the last elections in 2021.

Reform is now the second largest party on the council with 11 seats, with the Greens third with nine. Labour also lost seats and is now down to just one councillor, and there is one Independent councillor.