Liberal Democrats force policy u-turns

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th May 2008

The Liberal Democrat victory in Derby's elections means no congestion charge and no parking meters in Littleover village

Liberal Democrat success in last week's local council elections has killed stone-dead Labour plans for congestion charging and put on ice Labour plans to introduce parking meters in Littleover village.

The Liberal Democrats made sweeping gains in the local elections finishing first across Derby. Scrapping Parking Meters in Littleover Village and stopping the Congestion Charge were two key Lib Dem pledges.

Lib Dem leader Cllr Hilary Jones said "This shows how voting Liberal Democrat can make a real difference. The huge increase in Lib Dem support has forced Labour into humiliating u-turns and forced them to adopt two of our key pledges. Just imagine what more we could do if we were actually in power."

Liberal Democrat Councillor Les Allen added "When we are returned to power we will tear up the parking meter plans."