Lib Dem vote on the up in North Somerset

1.50.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th Jun 2004

The Liberal Democrats are celebrating continuing success in local and European elections across Britain today.

In the local elections, the London elections and the European elections, the Lib Dems won more votes and more seats than previously. They ended the elections as the only major party to have grown in strength.

In North Somerset, where only elections for the European Parliament were held, the Liberal Democrat share of the vote rose compared to the last election in 1999. The Conservative vote fell significantly and the Labour Party slumped to fourth place.

Councillor Mike Bell, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for the Woodspring Constituency, commented:

"In yet another set of elections the Liberal Democrats' share of the vote is up while the other main parties are down to unprecedented levels.

"It is now clear, on the evidence of all these elections, that the story of the next General Election is one of three party politics. The Liberal Democrats have emerged stronger while the other two main parties have been wounded.

"The General Election, which is now probably less than a year away, will see in North Somerset a straight battle between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives. With Tory support leaking to UKIP and Labour voters switching to the Lib Dems, the contest may well be very close indeed."