A disastrous day for Swindon's Conservatives has seen them ousted from control of the borough council.
The Conservatives under leader David Renard went into yesterday's polls with 32 seats against Labour's 23.
However, the count has so far seen not only the end of the Conservative majority but the leader himself losing his Haydon Wick seat to Labour.
Labour is now the dominant party at the Civic Offices, and jubilant leader Cllr Jim Robbins said on social media that he was "...so pleased to be able to deliver this for the people of Swindon!"
He added thanks to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his team for their support of Labour in Swindon.
The disappointing showing by what is now the Swindon opposition has been acknowledged by senior local Conservative figures.
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson wrote on social media: "After so long, it was always going to be tough. But the Party collectively needs to take this as a wake up call to refresh and renew. We have to once again offer positive reasons to vote for us, at every level."
Conservative councillor Dale Heenan, who held his Covingham & Dorcan seat, described the overall results as awful for his party.
He said: "The party has to pick itself up, have some fresh ideas which make a positive difference to residents and deliver."
However, the count has so far seen not only the end of the Conservative majority but the leader himself losing his Haydon Wick seat to Labour.
Labour is now the dominant party at the Civic Offices, and jubilant leader Cllr Jim Robbins said on social media that he was "...so pleased to be able to deliver this for the people of Swindon!"
He added thanks to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his team for their support of Labour in Swindon.
The disappointing showing by what is now the Swindon opposition has been acknowledged by senior local Conservative figures.
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson wrote on social media: "After so long, it was always going to be tough. But the Party collectively needs to take this as a wake up call to refresh and renew. We have to once again offer positive reasons to vote for us, at every level."
Conservative councillor Dale Heenan, who held his Covingham & Dorcan seat, described the overall results as awful for his party.
He said: "The party has to pick itself up, have some fresh ideas which make a positive difference to residents and deliver."
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