SHELL-SHOCKED Liberal Democrats in York will start the rebuilding process next week as they lick their wounds in the wake of their local election nightmare.

The party which ruled City of York Council for eight years was decimated at last week’s poll as they lost 12 seats, with former leader Andrew Waller and his predecessor, Steve Galloway, the city’s longest-serving councillor, among the casualties.

Group chairman Tom Holvey, former executive members Jonathan Morley and Madeleine Kirk, a York Outer candidate at last year’s General Election, were also jettisoned, while the experienced likes of Richard Moore, Richard Watson and Sue Sunderland have retired.

Huntington and New Earswick councillor Carol Runciman, one of eight remaining Lib Dems, is now interim leader, and the group’s annual general meeting next week will decide who takes the role permanently.

The Press understands Coun Runciman is the front-runner, at least while the party regroups, although Heworth Without councillor Nigel Ayre is also a contender but may be considered as one for the future.

Long-standing Huntington and New Earswick member Keith Orrell could take over as chairman.

Another possible leadership candidate, Dringhouses and Woodthorpe councillor Ann Reid, the former executive member for neighbourhood services, said she had “not had time to think about it”.

She said: “We feel we have worked extremely hard for the city over the last eight years and, while we haven’t got everything right, we have had some amazing achievements.

“I personally feel a lot of this work will be undone in the coming weeks and months, but the local situation was overshadowed by the national situation, which was favourable to other parties and allowed them to pick up support.

“I think we have paid the price for being the junior partner in the coalition Government.

“Clearly we now need to discuss the way forward and discuss our strengths and weaknesses.”