The Conservatives suffered a near electoral wipe out overnight as the political party lost control of Windsor and Maidenhead council for the first time in 16 years.
Things looked ominous for the Tories when council leader Andrew Johnson lost his seat in the first ward announcement of the night.
But worse was to come as the Conservatives saw their representation on the council reduced from 22 councillors to just seven.
It proved to be a significant night for the Liberal Democrats who secured control of the council – increasing their number of borough councillors from nine to 22.
Independent parties also performed well with The Borough First Independent group securing seven seats on the council.
Liberal Democrats leader Simon Werner said: “Its been better than we ever expected.
"I really want to try and be an open and inclusive council from now on, we're going to be working with any councillor who wants to work with us and we're not going to reject help from other parties."
He added: "I think residents want us to sort out the finances, get the roads clean, sort out the potholes and all these sorts of issues.
"They also want us to put climate change and biodiversity at the top of the agenda and put the borough at the heart of the community again like it used to be."
Ousted council leader Andrew Johnson said: “I think we’ve got to reflect on what’s happened this evening, we’ve got to learn the lessons and we’ve got to continue the hard work of engaging with residents and holding whatever administration comes next to account.
“Overall I think we’ve achieved a great deal, particularly in terms of stabilising the council’s finances, delivering opportunity and investment within the council.
“When one reflects, of course there’s always things one could’ve done differently.
“But genuinely I believe this has been driven by national headwinds. It is your typical mid-term referendum on the Government but I’m sure the Government will learn the lessons and go on a positive footing to the next General Election.”
The triumphant Liberal Democrats celebrate
Deputy leader of the council, Samantha Rayner, was among the high profile Conservative councillors to be voted out.
Lynne Jones, who led the local independents in the last administration, comfortably retained her seat in Old Windsor alongside fellow Old Windsor Residents’ Association candidate Neil Knowles.
Other independent candidates re-elected included Carole Da Costa and husband Wisdom (West Windsor Residents' Association) and Ewan Larcombe, representing the National Flood Prevention Party in Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury.
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