LIBERAL Democrat leader Cllr Gareth Wilson blamed people voting in the local elections on national issues for the Tories gaining control of the district council. He claimed it meant strong Independent councillors failed to get elected, and was a major fac

LIBERAL Democrat leader Cllr Gareth Wilson blamed people voting in the local elections on national issues for the Tories gaining control of the district council.

He claimed it meant strong Independent councillors failed to get elected, and was a major factor in the Conservatives' win, he said.

"It's a shame that so many people vote in local elections on national issues and things like whether they like Tony Blair or not," he said. "These things have nothing to do with local politics. It means that strong Independent candidates stand very little chance and this is a major factor in the Conservatives gaining overall control."

Cllr Wilson promised that he and his fellow Liberal Democrat councillors would keep a very close eye on what the Tories do with their extra seats especially with regard to the environment and providing quality services with value for money.

"They have made a lot of promises on these issues and we now expect them to deliver," he said. "Maybe when people see who they have elected they will come back to us."

Liberal Democrat councillors Nigel Bell in Ely East and Fiona McKay-Rae in Stretham lost their seats to the Tories.

But the party managed to hold on in Haddenham where councillors Ian Allen and Gareth and Pauline Wilson polled more than 1,000 votes each.

In Fordham Liberal Democrat councillors John Abbott and Michael Allan were also returned to their seats.