Lib Dems celebrate victory in Eastbourne (From The Argus)

Lib Dems celebrate victory in Eastbourne

7:35am Saturday 5th May 2007 in News

The Liberal Democrats were celebrating in Eastbourne as they almost wiped out the Conservatives' presence in the town.

The Tories were reduced to just seven seats out of 27.

The other 20 were all won by Lib Dems, giving the party a majority of 13.

Liberal Democrats leader Menzies Campbell said: "This tremendous result is a testament to all the hard work of the Liberal Democrat group over the last few years."

The biggest scalp of the night was council leader Ian Lucas, in the Old Town ward.

David Tutt, who garnered the second highest personal vote, will lead the new council. He said: "We have a team that will take this town forward and we have some exciting times ahead."

Ousted leader Ian Lucas said: "I'm personally gutted and I think it is a disappointing day for Eastbourne."

The first Lib Dem victory on the evening came in Sovereign when they ousted three Tory councillors.

Later came the most surprising result of the evening came when the Tories lost two seats in Upperton, formerly a party stronghold. The Lib Dems retained St Anthony's, Devonshire, Hampden Park and Langney wards.

The Tories retained their safe Meads and Ratton wards.