Tory council leader ousted by 22-year-old Lib Dem

Image caption,

Liberal Democrat George Blundell, 22 is perhaps the happiest councillor so far this morning

By Indy Almroth-Wright & Patrick O’Hagan

BBC News

A 22-year-old Liberal Democrat candidate has caused a huge upset as he defeated the Conservative leader of the council in Windsor and Maidenhead.

George Blundell ousted Andrew Johnson who saw his Tory party lose overall control of the local authority.

Mr Blundell said: “It’s going to be a different life but a life I’ve chosen and my passion has always been politics – I can’t wait to get started.”

The Lib Dems took control of the council with 22 of the 41 seats.

Media caption,

Former leader Andrew Johnson said national issues had played a part in his defeat

Celebrating his victory, Mr Blundell told BBC News: “It is my wildest dream and it’s been realised. I’m over the moon.

“Being a councillor is such a responsibility and having that on your shoulders does obviously change your life.

“…that responsibility is going to make me a happier person personally and I hope to make the residents… benefit from my attention.”

Former leader Mr Johnson said: “It’s clearly been a very difficult night for the Conservatives here. We will be back, we will learn the lessons.

“A lot of this was national issues, I’m sure as further results come in across England that will be reflected.

“As leader of the council some responsibility has to stop with me and I’m sure my colleagues that follow me will learn the lessons from that and take us forward.

“It’s essentially a mid-term referendum on the government and I’m confident the government will learn the lessons and indeed go on into the General Election on a positive footing.”

The count at Maidenhead leisure centre from 22:00 BST on Thursday was as quiet as could be for six hours.

But, just as the clock hit 04:00, there were huge cheers from the men and women in yellow as Mr Blundell knocked the leader off his perch.

It was a huge personal blow for the Tory leader. The party would never have been expecting to lose their figurehead, and certainly not to a 22-year-old, taking his first steps in politics.

Elsewhere in Berkshire, Labour kept control of Reading council.

Only one seat changed hands, with Labour beating the Conservatives into second place in Caversham Heights.

Sixty-four out of 230 councils are counting overnight meaning the majority of results will not be confirmed until later on Friday.

It was the first election in England to require photo ID.

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