While nationally, Swindon has continued to vote in line with the rest of the country for the past 40 years, there are signs it could be trending more Conservative.

The Tories were elected in both North and South Swindon in 2010, which was not unexpected after 13 years of Labour government. But while David Cameron became prime minister then, he could only do so with the help of the Liberal Democrats in coalition.

In 2015, the Conservatives won an overall majority in 2015, and Robert Buckland and Justin Tomlinson were both returned with increased majorities.

But the 2017 snap election called by Theresa May saw the Tories lose that majority in Parliament, though they have continued to govern as a minority administration.

And while Mr Buckland’s majority was cut to just 2,400, Mr Tomlinson managed to deny his party’s troubles elsewhere to increase his share of the vote, even if his majority dropped.

But it’s locally where this possible increasing Conservatism is most obviously seen.

Labour ran the council from its creation in 1998 until the Tories took control in 2003, when nationally the Labour party was still riding high and would go on to win another general election in 2005.

Since then it’s been a Conservative hold, from a high of 43 councillors in the mid 200s to a majority of just one in 2018.

At the May elections the Conservatives increased their majority to five, again defying the national trend.