Lib Dems on Historic Rise (Croydon Liberal Democrats)

Croydon Liberal Democrats <yourviews@croydonlibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems on Historic Rise

November 19, 2005 3:47 PM

Liberal Democrat percentage support in successive general elections has been increasing across Croydon. The Tories are stagnating and Labour are facing electoral collapse.

Percentage changes in party support across Croydon since 1992

Liberal Democrat support in successive general elections has been increasing across Croydon, leaving them on the brink of an historic breakthrough in Croydon.

Comparing the percentage changes in support for the major parties across the whole of Croydon between each election since 1992, the trend for support towards the Lib Dems has been on a consistent rise. Whilst the Liberals are enjoying their highest representation in the House of Commons since 1922, Croydon voters are also increasingly attracted to the Lib Dems.

Support for the Tories plummeted in 1997 (dropping 16% in 1997) and they have stagnated since.

Support for Labour has been on a steady decline since their victory in 1997, culminating in a drop of 7.5% in the 2005 general election, when they lost Croydon Central.

Although support for the Lib Dems declined marginally across Croydon in 1997, it increased in 2001 and rose by almost 4% in 2005.

"This is very exciting," said Croydon Lib Dem activist Simon Hargrave. "It's very encouraging for the council elections in Croydon next May. This shows that we can increase the number of Lib Dem councillors. It will be hard but we are clearly on a roll."