West Midlands returns Phil Bennion for Lib Dems in European Election

The Liberal Democrats in the West Midlands have returned an MEP to the EU, following an increase in vote share in the region.

Former, and returning MEP, Phil Bennion, said:

"This is a fantastic result in the West Midlands, following a successful local election campaign that gave us our biggest ever gains. We appreciate everyone who voted for us - you have all played a part in building our country up, instead of backing others who want to knock it down. I also thank my fellow candidates and the whole campaign team who did an amazing job.

"I can guarantee I will turn up to the European Parliament to do the job I was elected to do; I'm not sure this is a guarantee all newly-elected MEPs can make. I will actively work on bettering the lives of the people in the UK and Europe.

In Telford & Wrekin, we saw a 9% swing from Labour to the Lib Dems (compared with the 2014 results), and polled ahead of the Conservatives in the elections, held 23rd May. Nationally, the Lib Dems achieved 20.3% voteshare, beating Labour and the Tories for the first time since 1906, and returning 16 MEPs.

There can be no doubt. These results - our best ever in an EU election - prove that the Liberal Democrats are back in business.