LIBERAL DEMOCRATS CONFIRMED AS ONLY CHALLENGER TO THE CONSERVATIVES IN ST ALBANS CONSTITUENCY

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

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg MP visits on 2nd May to congratulate the celebrating Lib Dem campaigners.

"The local elections on Thursday May 1st provide further confirmation that the Liberal Democrats are now breathing down Conservative necks to win the St Albans constituency in the next general election," said Sandy Walkington.

There was massive coverage of the St Albans result on television, radio and in the national press because it bucked the general trend in the south of England. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg MP made a flying visit to the city on the morning of 2nd May to congratulate the tired but still celebrating Lib Dem campaigners.

"As ever St Albans showed itself to be special," Sandy said. "And the results truly speak for themselves. Out of 12 contested wards within the parliamentary boundaries, the Liberal Democrats successfully defended the seven we already held. We then made three gains, two from Labour in Batchwood and Sopwell but one also from the Conservatives in Verulam.

"Two wards not contested this time - Colney Heath in St Albans and Bedmond in Three Rivers district - were both strong wins for the Liberal Democrats in 2007.

"So the Liberal Democrats are now ahead in twelve out of the fourteen wards which comprise St Albans constituency. More importantly we have shown we take votes and seats from both the Labour and Conservative parties.

"There is now a total of 29 Lib Dem district councillors within the St Albans parliamentary boundaries. That compares with 6 Conservatives and just 5 Labour councillors. While Liberal Democrats have previously had overall control of the council, they have never had this level of commanding lead within a single parliamentary seat.

"By contrast this is the first year in the history of St Albans City and District Council that Labour failed to win a single seat either within or outside the St Albans parliamentary constituency. The Greens too made no progress as voters recognised LibDem achievements with the eco-house, recycling and efforts to reduce the council's carbon footprint.

"Finally David Cameron's campaigning visit to St Albans seemed to have a most curious effect," Sandy commented. "The Lib Dem majority in Marshalswick South actually rose!"

ENDS

For further information please call Sandy Walkington on 07802 177317