Lib Dem vote up, but Tories take seats and control of Hillingdon

3.09.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 7th May 2006

The Conservatives have taken overall control of Hillingdon Council after running a campaign based on subtle racism and blatant lies.

While the Liberal Democrats increased their share of the popular vote from 19% to 20%, the UK's outdated electoral system saw their number of seats decrease from 8 to 2.

The new group Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Hillingdon Cllr Mike Cox said

"This extraordinary result shows the injustice of the "first past the post" system. More people voted Liberal Democrat than last time but we have only 2 councillors. It took less than 2000 votes to elect a Tory or Labour Councillor but nearly 20,000 to elect each Liberal Democrat Councillor.

"David Cameron, when he became Tory Leader, told his party 'People in this country are crying out for a Conservative Party that is decent, reasonable, sensible ... ' But on polling day, Hillingdon's Tory leaflets ran stories designed to whip up feelings against asylum seekers and told blatant lies about Lib Dem candidates. How is that 'decent, reasonable, sensible'?"

"This election has thrown politics into disrepute. There are some who should hang their heads in shame. But now the Tories have what they stooped so low to achieve - the power of complete control, without the need to work with others. Given the major lurch to the Right in the Conservative Group this bodes ill for the people of Hillingdon."

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Notes for Editors

For more information please contact: Mike Cox on 01923-771977 (day) 01895-472965 (evening) or 07766-831395 (mobile)