Voters aren’t sophisticated says ex-chief

Outgoing leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Andrew De Freitas has criticised “unsophisticated” voters after the Liberal Democrats were hammered in the election.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th May 2011, 00:43 BST

The party, which was leading a minority administration, lost five of the six seats they were defending with only Coun De Freitas retaining his.

The Labour Party were unable to secure an outright majority but are now the largest party with 19 seats – up seven from before. The Tories lost one seat and have 15 and the Lib Dems are left with 9.

Coun De Freitas said: “Obviously we did not expect any gains but clearly that was a bad night for us. I am saddened, to be honest – we have lost some very good people.

“It is disappointing that people should think on national lines and judge the ruling party on the basis of what happens in national Government.

“But I am not surprised. The electorate is not that sophisticated. You have to explain at great length that local government has nothing to do with national government. But people just don’t seem to realise the difference.”