LOCAL ELECTIONS 2010: Lib Dems - Audacity of hope From cheers to tears

Published: 14 May 2010
by ROISIN GADELRAB

BATHED in the orange light of the ageing Sobell Centre sports hall, Lib Dems slumped on the floor hours before the results of the two Islington constituences were due to be called.

They knew this was not going to be their night. And they had been hit hard. Although wary of the Clegg effect, they had been buoyed into the false hope that victory was in their grasp. Islington South Lib Dem candidate Bridget Fox had been trailed by TV companies and Japanese newspapers, while national newspapers had practically written off sitting Labour MP Emily Thornberry.

But by the time Ms Fox arrived at the Sobell in the early hours of Friday she was surrounded by a solemn entourage of friends and colleagues. Lib Dem cheers bounced off the walls but this time with a defeated tone. And then the long, tearful, consolatory hugs began.