Post-election message from Paul

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th May 2007

I would like to thank all the people in Sheffield who put their trust in the Liberal Democrats last Thursday, by voting for us in such large numbers. What has become clear was that this was not a protest vote, but a vote for change. That is why we gained three seats off Labour and one from the Tories.

Labour now has to realise that it has lost the mandate of the majority living in our city. A change of course is needed. Not just concentrating on the city centre and Labours favoured areas. People have voted for a council that works for all the city and has a sense of fairness for all coupled with strong social justice. We need to ensure that real bread and butter issues are dealt with at a neighbourhood level.

All 39 Liberal Democrat councillors over the next 12 months will ensure that we use your mandate wisely and concentrate on doing the best for all the city. We will work to raise the game for Sheffield and ensure good inward investment and jobs, whilst protecting and encouraging local small to medium-sized businesses as well.