Lib Dems say council results show they can take Westminster seats from Tories

Ed Davey says ‘lifelong Conservative voters are backing the Lib Dems’ in constituencies party is targeting

• Local and mayoral election results – live updates

Ed Davey has pointed to strong showings by the Liberal Democrats at council elections in areas they are targeting at the next general election as a sign they can advance into Conservative territory.

The party leader said it was “still too early to see the whole picture in this set of elections, but clearly there are some fantastic results for the Liberal Democrats”.