COUNCILLORS from the Green party have been elected to West Berkshire Council for the first time ever.

Three councillors, Steve Masters, Carolyne Culver, and David Marsh, were elected to represent Newbury Speen, Ridgeway, and Newbury Wash Common, respectively.

No Greens have ever sat on the council before. Councillor Steve Masters (Green, Speen) said: “It’s about connecting and engaging with people directly.

“People are feeling disenfranchised, the major parties aren’t listening to them. We reengaged with them and listened to their concerns. I’m incredibly grateful for their trust that they’ve placed in me.”

The Liberal Democrats made massive gains, going from just five to 16 councillors.

Cllr Lee Dillon (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East) said: “Over the last four years we have provided a really strong opposition to the Tories.

“We’ve made people aware of big issues like the London Road industrial estate and the half a million wasted there.

“In the major towns you’ve seen people flock back to the Lib Dems. The Tories can expect an opposition that is sat ready and waiting to take power at the next elections.”

The Conservatives suffered heavy losses, winning 24 seats. Previously the party had every seat but five on the council.

Carol Jackson-Doerge, the previous chairwoman of the council, was voted out, as well as Jeanette Clifford, the previous lead member for environment and transport.

Councillor Richard Somner, (Con, Tilehurst South and Holybrook), said: “I think it was sadly a low turnout.

"There’s generally disillusion against politics. And we need to do whatever we can to get people reengaged.”

Labour fielded candidates in every ward in West Berkshire for the first time ever, but failed to win any seats.

Michael Wakelyn-Green, who stood in Newbury Greenham, said: “The issues we were talking about on the door impact people here and now.

“But the national issues, people are thinking about those a lot more than the local issues in West Berkshire.”

Graham Jones, who used to be the Conservative leader of the council but did not run in this election, said: “We do need to reflect on the national schism, both sides of the Brexit debate.”

Mr Jones quoted Jo Cox, the Labour MP who was murdered, who said: “We have far more in common than that which divides us.”