THE Swindon Liberal Democrats have reported a surge in popularity with the number of party members currently at a record high.

It comes just a few weeks before the local elections which will be taking place in Swindon on May 3.

According to the leader of the Swindon Lib Dems, Coun Stan Pajak, the membership currently stands at just under 200, an increase of almost 100 since the party was in government with the Conservatives from 2010 to 2015.

Coun Pajak puts the unprecedented rise down to the party providing clarity on their Brexit position and disillusionment with Labour and the Conservatives following last year’s shock election.

He said: “Currently, we are just a couple of people under 200, which is the most we have ever had in Swindon. I think it comes as a reaction to what happened in the general election and after the referendum: we are the one party which is clear on where we stand.”

This year the Liberal Democrats are fielding a candidate in every ward and they are hoping it will give them a good idea of the wards around which to base future election strategies.

Speaking about the factors which drive people to take action and join a political party, Coun Pajak said: “I think that sometimes people need a bit of a shock, and we certainly had that in recent years. The results have come as a surprise to a lot of people, and that has an effect.”

He claimed that party membership “in almost all cases” depends on national issues more than local ones, and the Lib Dem’s decision to speak for the 48 per cent who voted to remain in the European Union is, for Stan, an important catalyst.

Jamie Taylor, the Lib Dem candidate in the Mannington and Western ward, described the feeling within the party as “amazing” and claimed “people want to listen to us”.

He said: “Our stance on national issues such as a plan to fund the NHS without having to increase a crippling national debt and offering people a vote on the final deal with Brexit are strong policies.

“People know we are the sensible party able to budget for a full year without taxing people out of their annual holiday or taking money required to put food on the table and know we won’t borrow until the council cannot afford to pick up the bins.”

The membership rise has resulted in Coun Pajak feeling optimistic about the future. But, he said: “It is hard to predict politics at the moment.”