WOKING BOROUGH COUNCIL: ELECTIONS 2006

Joint statement by Woking Borough Council Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Sue Smith and Deputy Leader Philip Goldenberg

"In a night of mixed results nationally, Woking's residents sent a clear message to Woking's politicians.

"With three Liberal Democrat gains from the Conservatives, and eight LibDem Councillors elected out of the 13 seats contested, Woking Liberal Democrats now have 18 out of the 36 Borough Council seats which, with the traditional neutrality of the Mayor, gives us effective control.

"Local residents have clearly voted for change, and it is our job to deliver that change. We promise to be open and consultative; to listen to what local residents are saying; and to put into effect policies to address the concerns of local residents which they clearly feel have been neglected by the Tory Executive which has run the Council in recent years."

At 18 seats, this is the largest Liberal Democrat Group since the present Ward structure of the Council was established in 2000.

At 15 seats, this is the smallest Conservative Group since 2000.

At 3 seats, this is the smallest Labour representation since 2000.

Mr Humfrey Malins MP was quoted in Tory leaflets saying that: "Across the country voters who had previously supported the Liberal Democrats are coming to join the Conservative Party." He should be asking himself why this statement is manifestly untrue in his own constituency.

ENDS