Local elections: Brexit dithering and delay hurts the main parties

The count in Peterborough on Thursday. Photograph: Terry Harris/Rex/ShutterstockBoth main parties took an electoral hit from the Brexit deadlock in this week’s local elections as discontented voters deserted them in droves. The Conservatives and Labour both went backwards, losing many seats and control of multiple councils. The big winner was the Liberal Democrat party, which announced its return as a force in local government with hundreds of seat wins and some major local council takeove