Lib Dems storm to Bristol election victory

“Gertbigwheels smaller parties get less vote because they are smaller parties. The clue is in the name. They only appeal to a very small minority, in many cases the stupid. As is your comments on immigrants. What has LIb?Dem council got to do with immigration? A parties stance on such matters is a central government issue, not local council. SInce they are highly unlikely to get into government you and your small mind need not worry. Look up the Conseravtive manifesto if you want to see who is next in power.”

“Peter Hammond said, Obviously it is a big personal disappointment but the truth of it is that however good you are as a local representative, you are very much subject to national politics.¿

Perhaps, Mr Hammond, the people in your ward just... got fed up with you.”

“Bad news.If you think Labour are soft on migrants and pc policies.The Libs will look after every one bar there own.The media is to blame.They have a downer on smaller parties.The message never gets through because powerful media people don't want you to hear it.Bristol will be worse off.Democracy killed off by media propaganda.”

“The is no denyintg that Laboutr has been bad for education in Bristol. But when the Lib Dems were running the council last time they shut our swimming pool and sports centre. I did NOT vote for them, but I did vote. I don't beleive there is a credible party at all at present, and have long felt there should be a box for "none of the above" so people can demonstrate thier willingness to be politically active but register thier disatisfaction too. Mine was most definitely a protest vote, marginally better than not bothering, or spoiling the voting paper bot of which I have done in the past. But certainly not a choice I was happy making. I also beleive voting, or at least registereing a void vote should be mandatory. Too many people can nlot be bothered to make any political judgement at all, if voting were mandatory it would mean they at least had to make some effort to make a choice, and would hopefully at leat read the drivel we get through our letterboxes if not go one stepf further and actually research party policy etc. Just think if we were more politically conscious and kept our MP's busier they would not have so much time on thier hands to award themselves pay rises and go shopping!”

“I'm gald at last someone has overall control. I couldn't care who it was that got into power as long as they get on and do something for this city rather than bicker. One of the first things should be to change the way the way local elections are held here so they can concentrate on a decent lenght term in office.

Also, living in the south of the city it would also be refreshing to see money spent in the south where it is sometimes needed to attract economic growth rather than wasted in the north of the city to improve paving or old fashioned street lights.”

“The vote is over - end off - discussion over.
To all those that actually bothered to vote - I hope your party won.
Mine did but it didn't influence the outcome.
That said - lets give the Lib Dem's a chance - if they are local people who listen to their constituents and with this new majority to push changes through - maybe they will do a good job - everyone deserves a chance - and - they did win!!!”

“Steve, if more people voted then maybe it would be a different result. Who will ever know. But the option to vote was there for the majority of us and the majority didn't bother. The LibDems arent in control with only a few thousand supporters, they had the majority of any party from votes cast by people who could bother to be part of the political process. I would suggest the other many thousands who didn't vote really cant be bothered either way who gets in amongst the main parties or if they truly did they would vote. Your comments are niave at best, plain dumb at worst.”

“I cannot see what is disasterous about having a Council who have a good majority, who have run the job well despite not being a majority and who do not throuw toys out of the pram when decisions do not go their way.

It was not them who made the stupid decision to cut Infant and Junior schools only to find there is a shortage of places.

It was not them who cut places in Residential Homes and careres to look after the elderly in their homes.

It was them who took on board the refuse problem and made a workable solution. After all it was an EU decision to fine Councils who produced too much landfill.

It was them who pushed ahead the new Hospital in South Bristol despite Labour faffing around.

I could continue but no doubt these comments will be subject to the usual derision that appear only to frequently from people who do not understand the electoral system in this country or who do not practise ther right to a vote”

“Well, I'm going to look on the bright side and not write anyone off until they've had a chance to prove themselves.
As for the turnout, I spoke to an officer outside my polling station (Tudor Rd, Easton) at 10pm and she was flabbergasted by the turnout. There were queues all evening, right up until it closed, so I think we got a fairly representative result.
Usual cynical suspects on here - sometimes I wonder if Bristolians actually want to join the 21st century and use the council as an excuse.
Give the council a chance and see what they can do.”

“At least Libs are better than Labour, but not much better. Their main vote has always been a protest vote, from anti Socialist and Tory voters. They were a disaster in North Somerset and many other areas.”