It would be unwise to read too much into the council results as a guide to the coming general election.

But with the four main party candidates for the two Swindon constituencies attending the count, the elections indicate it might be a difficult campaign for the Conservative member for South Swindon, Sir Robert Buckland.

His constituency included wards like Eastcott and old Town where Labour councillors took huge majorities at these elections. And Labour gained seats in Shaw; Lidene, Eldene & Park South, Lydiard & Freshbrook and Central.

The Conservative hold in Covingham & Dorcan saw a much reduced majority and the holds of three seats in Wroughton & Wichelstowe and Ridgeway won’t help Mr Buckland, as they will be in the new constituency of East Wiltshire come the general election.

In North Swindon there is perhaps more to cheer MP Justin Tomlinson in North Swindon. Holding on to Blunsdon & Highworth will matter to him, and while Labour made gains in both Haydon Wick and Priory Vale, in both wards the Labour majority was cut to about half of what it was in 2023.

Speculation continues as to the date of the general election, with the latest possible date being in late January 2025.