The Liberal Democrats are not "a flash in the pan", Sir Ed Davey said during a visit to Redhill, in Surrey, on the final day of campaigning, as he looked forward to steady gains at Thursday's local elections.While Reform UK and the Greens are expected to pick up a significant number of councillors in England, Sir Ed's party is projected to make more modest gains.But these would represent the eighth consecutive year the Lib Dems have gained seats at local elections, and could see the party become

The Liberal Democrats are not "a flash in the pan", Sir Ed Davey said during a visit to Redhill, in Surrey, on the final day of campaigning, as he looked forward to steady gains at Thursday's local elections.While Reform UK and the Greens are expected to pick up a significant number of councillors in England, Sir Ed's party is projected to make more modest gains.But these would represent the eighth consecutive year the Lib Dems have gained seats at local elections, and could see the party become the largest presence in English local government.