Lib Dems consolidate in Hanworth & Bedfont and make historic break through in Brentford & Isleworth constituency

1.43.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 8th May 2006

Hounslow Liberal Democrats this weekend celebrated the election of their first ever councillor in the Brentford & Isleworth constituency and consolidation in the west of the borough. Andrew Dakers won a seat in the Brentford Ward, previously held by ABeeC councillor Luke Kirton, who stood down at this election. The party held onto its three seats in Hanworth ward, as well as the seat in Bedfont Ward.

Cllr Andrew Dakers commented:

"Working with our colleagues, Cllr Drew Morgan-Watts and I, as two of the youngest councillors in Hounslow at 23 and 27 respectively, will be pushing urgently for open and honest local government in Hounslow. Only with openness and transparency around all decision making will we restore the trust that has been lost in politicians and political processes."

"Our breakthrough in Brentford - more than trebling our vote since 2002 - was down to hard campaigning and policy proposals that really resonated with the needs of local people. I will now work hard with councillors of all parties interested in putting these ideas into practice."

"It was also a great night for us in Heston West and all three Chiswick wards, where the Lib Dems came a strong second place and are now the main challenger to Labour and the Tories."

"It is notable that the Tory advance occurred only in wards where no-one else was actively campaigning against Labour, which suggests a strong element of protest vote against Labour, rather than an endorsement of the unknown and unpredictable quantity that the Tories remain."

"I hope to see a stable and competent administration formed in the next few weeks to address the many problems left after 35 years of Labour running Hounslow Borough Council."