Tories 'should be worried' after Lib Dem local election victory in Chelmsford

The leader of Chelmsford City Council says the local Tory MP "should be worried" about her position after the Liberal Democrats increased their control across the area.

The Lib Dems secured two new seats on the City Council in Thursday's election building on their 2019 results when they swept the Conservatives aside by winning 26 seats as the Tories lost 31. In the popular vote, meanwhile, their percentage share increased from 39 to 41.95 per cent.

Lib Dem Stephen Robinson, the leader of Chelmsford City Council, warned Vicky Ford, Chelmsord's Conservative MP about the growing presence of Liberal Democrats in the area.

Cllr Robinson said: "We absolutely think we will build on our solid base having increased the number of councillors we have in Chelmsford and win Chelmsford at the next General Election.

"We've just re-elected to the council our parliamentary candidate with the largest number of votes for a Lib Dem councillor in a normal local election. So we think Marie Goldman has a very good chance at the next General Election."

He added: "The Conservatives should definitely be worried. I know they're worried and that's why they're bringing in extra help from central office but it didn't work."

Ms Ford has represented Chelmsford at Westminster since 2017 when she replaced the outgoing Simon Burns.