So the local election results are in and new administrations are being formed. The media analysis is in (worst Tory result since Major, pathetic showing by Corbyn, Remain voters swinging to Lib Dems and Greens, etc) and the caravan has already moved on to the European elections. But at Curtin&Co we’ve been doing our best to analyse not just what happened but also why – and what this might mean for development and housing.

So here are some high level takeaways from a remarkable set of local elections.

Late on election night one FT journalist quoted a Tory campaigner as saying: “There’s a pattern emerging about growth of independents / Liberal Democrats / Greens. Where we have lost most so far is where there are severe planning problems caused by NPPF reforms in 2013.” Was this an ingenious attempt to avoid pinning the blame on Brexit and the lacklustre performance of Mrs May, or is there something in it?

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