'Lib Dems are back in business!: Jubilant Liberal Democrats claim victory as they take 300 council seats By Richard Spillett for MailOnline Published: 09:35 BST, 3 May 2019 | Updated: 09:35 BST, 3 May 2019 Viewcomments The Liberal Democrats claimed they are 'back in business' today after taking hundreds of council seats from Labour and the Tories. The party's support had crashed in the wake of Nick Clegg's disastrous decision to go into coalition with David Cameron in 2010, and they currently have just 11 MPs in the House of Commons. But by 9am this morning, the Lib Dems had won more than 300 council seats,and taken control of nine councils, suggesting they may be experiencing a resurgence. Council candidate Chris Wiggins wins a seat for the Lib Dems in Peterborough. The party has gained hundreds of council seats across the country The party cashed in on the main two parties' failure to deliver Brexit as voters turned to them as one of few alternatives. Experts say their message that they want to stop Brexit meant they picked up lots of support from remain voters. The question for the party will be whether they can do as well in the European elections, when they will be up against the Brexit Party as another alternative to the main two. The Lib Dems have also traditionally struggled to turn control of local councils into Parliamentary seats. Despite those uncertainties, MP and former Minister Ed Davey said the results were 'equivalent to our best strides forward ever in our history'. 'We are clearly back in the game,' said Sir Edward. 'People have been frustrated with the appalling Tory Government, who have let them down not just on Brexit but with cuts to police and schools, and a split opposition with such poor leadership. 'They have been crying out for a strong alternative. The Liberal Democrats have proven we are that strong alternative to the Tories and Labour.' Political expert Sir John Curtice said the party seemed to be recovering from the post-coalition turmoil rather than cashing in on remain sentiment. He told the BBC: 'When you actually look, is there any evidence that the Liberal Democrats are doing better in remain areas than in leave areas? The truth is that the evidence seems to be lacking. 'So it seems easier to interpret this as evidence of Liberal Democrats recovering from the coalition, being the party of protest, and that’s the basis of their success, rather than necessarily a rush of enthusiasm for the idea of a second EU referendum.' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility