The Liberal Democrats have retained control of Wiltshire Council, seeing off a strong Tory challenge in Salisbury Milford last night, a seat where both parties put in a huge effort. The result means the Lib Dems are now back up to 43 seats, and together with the Independents, have 50 seats overall.
Result (2025 result in brackets)
Lib Dem 759 45.6% (+1.8%)
Conservative 605 36.4% (+12.4%)
Reform 189 11.4% (-6.7%)
Labour 110 6.6% (-2.1%)
No Green as previous (-5.4%)
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT HOLD: Lib Dems retain the seat, maintaining their control over Wiltshire Council.
As you were but things remain precarious for the Lib Dems
Victory for the Lib Dems so their slender hold over Wiltshire continues for now but things remain far from certain in the long term. The party is potentially only another by-election away from losing control, either in a Lib Dem or Independent seat.
Lib Dems throw the kitchen sink
Losing this by-election would’ve meant losing control of the council so with everything at stake, the Lib Dems threw everything at retaining the seat, shipping in activists around across the region. Come polling day, turnout reached 40% – higher than usual for a standalone by-election.
Tories squeeze the Reform vote
Salisbury has consistently been an area where the Tories roll out a well-oiled election machine and yesterday proved no exception, effectively squeezing the Reform vote from 18% to 11% and seeing their own share of the vote increase since 2025.
Increasing signs of life for the Tories?
Digging a little deeper beneath the results, the swing from the Lib Dems to the Tories of 5.3% and if the Reform vote continues to wane, would have significant consequences at the next all out election, if applied across the authority. The Tories would once again be in pole position and, crucially, have just enough for a majority.
What next for development in Wiltshire?
Ian Thorn’s Lib Dem led administration is under severe pressure to build 3,500 homes a year and having withdrawn its draft Local Plan in May this year, preferring instead to start from scratch.
As always, if you’d like to talk about Wiltshire’s politics more generally and how it can impact development, reach out to any of the JBP team at swpolitics@jbp.co.uk