Tories lose Shrewsbury Town

The losses sustained by the Conservative Party in Shropshire were compounded today when the results of Shrewsbury Town Council were counted.
In 2009 the Conservatives were in control with twelve of the seventeen seats.
In 2013 they only won five seats, with Labour winning seven and Liberal Democrats the other five.
Liberal Democrats have gained three councillors compared with 2009, Labour have gained four and conservatives lost seven.
It is to be expected that talks will take place between the parties to see whether it is feasible to put together a formal agreement for working together.
Local Party Chair, Dr Charles West said:
"This is an excellent result for Liberal Democrats and for Shrewsbury. We welcome the opportunity of working with other parties to bring a new way of working to Shrewsbury Council. We expect to see a more open form of local democracy, with officers and members working together to serve the public and an end to secret decisions that are imposed without real consultation or participation."
Councillor Miles Kenny, leader of Shrewsbury Liberal Democrats on the Town Council said:
"We need to remember that this is a town council, and should be a community-based grass-roots organisation. It is now four years since the demise of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and this gives an opportunity for an overhaul."