Thank you to Lib Dem supporters

12.12.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 7th Jun 2009

Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats are sending a message of thanks to the nearly 11,000 people who supported the party in the local elections on Thursday, 4 June.

The Lib Dems made modest progress, winning five of the 40 seats up for election on Isle of Wight Council, and coming close in a number of other seats.

The Conservatives retain control of the Council though, with 24 out of 40 seats, they are more vulnerable to defeat on controversial issues if a number of their councillors join forces with opposition councillors. The previous IW Council election had given the Tories 35 out of 48 seats, allowing them to impose their will on controversial issues despite defections.

Independents won 10 seats, including unseating the Conservative councillors responsible for steering through their "school reform" plans. Labour won a single seat.

The results confirm that the general election race will again be between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats here on the Island.

Related Link:

Results from the Isle of Wight Council web site