Frustration after UKIP votes fail to translate into more council seats

Pie chart showing share of the vote among parties at AVDC

UKIP gained 22% of the vote yet only gained four seats (up two from 2011), whereas the Lib Dems won nine seats with 15.4% of the vote.

Mr Adams said: “If you think that UKIP got around 38,000 votes, that’s bigger than the Lib Dems and Greens combined, so how about a different voting system?

“We are really, really pleased with the result though, and we are going to use it as a platform to work even harder.

“The result didn’t translate into seats this time, but we are going to work hard to do that next time.”

The Conservatives comfortably retained control of Aylesbury Vale District Council following Thursday’s election.

The party, led into an election by Neil Blake for the first time since he took over from John Cartwright in 2013, increased its number of councillors from 2011’s vote by six to 43. They now control 72% of the 59 seats at the council.

Mr Blake said: “I think it was an excellent result for the Conservative group. We put out a manifesto that showed the electorate that we carried out the promises that we made four years ago. I think the public appreciated that, but the work continues.”

Lib Dems remain the official opposition despite losing eight councillors and winning only nine seats.

Leader Steven Lambert, said: “I am of course disappointed that we have gone from 17 to nine councillors. But that will not stop us from being an effective opposition.

“Our job is to stand up for the people who cannot stand up for themselves. We exist to build a fair and open society in which no one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. Every time we go to a meeting we remind ourselves of that.

“The fight goes on.”

Labour won two seats and the party’s local leader Robin Stuchbury said: “Because the Conservative group has such a huge majority, perhaps they could bring in a buddy system, so that they can enjoy nice dinners instead of having to worry about whether they all have to attend council meetings. They could take it in turns and still get things passed!”

Casualties included former Lib Dem Aylesbury mayors Niknam Hussain and Ranjula Takodra and former Tory cabinet member who joined UKIP, Phil Yerby.

RESULTS

Conservatives: 43 seats (76,413 votes, 43.9% share)

Lib Dems: 9 seats (26,893, 15.4%)

UKIP: 4 seats (38,468, 22.1%)

Labour: 2 seats (12,454, 7.1%)

Independent candidates: 1 seat (3,724, 2.1%)

Green: 0 seats (16,282, 9.3%)