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Lib Dems take control of Bristol Lib Dems take control of Bristol
(40 minutes later)
The Liberal Democrats have for the first time won overall control of Bristol City Council.The Liberal Democrats have for the first time won overall control of Bristol City Council.
The party gained the four seats it needed to take its total number of councillors to 36, while Labour lost eight of the 10 seats it was defending.The party gained the four seats it needed to take its total number of councillors to 36, while Labour lost eight of the 10 seats it was defending.
Council leader Barbara Janke said she would not "gloat" over Labour losses.
The Conservatives took four wards to become the second largest party on the council. Meanwhile the Green Party could not add to its single seat.The Conservatives took four wards to become the second largest party on the council. Meanwhile the Green Party could not add to its single seat.
Residents in 23 of the city's 70 wards went to the polls on Thursday.Residents in 23 of the city's 70 wards went to the polls on Thursday.
Labour, who retained Lawrence Hill ward by just nine votes and also held on to St George West, now has 16 councillors to the Tories' 17.Labour, who retained Lawrence Hill ward by just nine votes and also held on to St George West, now has 16 councillors to the Tories' 17.
As polls closed, the leader of the council Barbara Janke said she believed the recent scandal over MPs' expenses would have an impact on all parties. With the majority rule we feel we can give confidence to the city and the policies the electorate want Barbara Janke, Lib Dem Leader of Bristol City Council
Ms Janke said: "We don't have expenses in the same way as MPs, but there's a huge amount of anger. Bristol South's Labour MP, Dawn Primarolo, said: "Tonight is clearly disappointing, lots of good Labour councillors have lost their seats.
"Democracy is a precious institution and it's down to the political class as a whole to deal with this." "It's undeniable that the voters are angry and it focused around the issues at Westminster and MPs expenses.
"What we see is people protesting, they look to protest against party in government in power.
"I have to acknowledge people are very definitely sending a clear message to us about getting on with the job."
Meanwhile a triumphant Ms Janke said: "Tonight was absolutely fantastic. Wonderful news. We were cautiously optimistic.
"The electorate has given us a clear mandate for what they want out of the Liberal Democrats. They've shown us they want leadership.
"Now with the majority rule we feel we can give confidence to the city and the policies the electorate want."
Turnout in most of the contested wards was higher than the 33.9% average for last year's elections.Turnout in most of the contested wards was higher than the 33.9% average for last year's elections.