The 2005 Bristol City Council election took place on 5 May 2005, on the same day as other local elections. The Liberal Democrats made a number of gains and became the largest party on the Council, for the first time, but failed to gain enough seats to form an overall majority.

Background Following the 2003 election, there was a month of dissuasions as to who would run the council before all three parties agreed to a cabinet of three Lib Dems, three Labour and two Conservative councillors, led by Lib Dem leader Barbara Janke.

On 13 October 2004 Labour leader Peter Hammond announced that they would be tabling a vote of no confidence in Janke, in relation to her role in the selection of now former councillor John Astley who had been convicted, in separate trials, of offences involving child pornography and electoral fraud. Hammond said "She [Janke] has indicated very clearly in public questions that she basically accepts no responsibility on behalf of her party for what happened. That, we think, is unacceptable."

On 28 October following the failure of the no confidence vote, the three Labour cabinet members, Hammond, Robin Moss and Helen Holland resigned. The Conservative group leader Peter Abraham told the BBC "This is a foolish, irresponsible move by the Labour Party. It is politics at its very worst, I'm ashamed of politicians who behave like this." In a council meeting on 9 November Hammond was voted in as council leader heading up a Labour minority administration.

Previous composition 2003 election Party Seats 31 28 11Total70

Composition of council seats before election Party Seats 31 27 11 1Total70

Changes between elections

Summary The four seat swing from Labour marked the first time since 1983 that they had failed to be largest party on the council.

Election result

! colspan=2| Total ! 96 ! 23 ! ! ! 47 ! 70 ! ! 117,292 ! colspan=2 |

Election of Group Leaders Barbara Janke (Clifton) was re-elected leader of the Liberal Democrats group with Simon Cook (Clifton East) as her deputy, Helen Holland (Whitchurch Park) was elected leader of the Labour Group and Richard Eddy (Bishopsworth) was elected leader of the Conservative group.

Government Formation Barbara Janke the leader of the Liberal Democrats group was duly elected leader of the council and formed a minority administration.

Ward results Swings are compared to the 2001 election when these seats were last contested.

Ashley

Avonmouth

Bishopston

Cabot

Clifton

Clifton East

Cotham

Easton

Eastville

Frome Vale

Henbury

Henleaze

Hillfields

Horfield

Kingsweston

Lawrence Hill

Lockleaze

Redland

Southmead

St George East

St George West

Stoke Bishop

Westbury-on-Trym

References