The results from the local elections are in -- and we're beginning work out what it means for the parties with regards to next month's general election. While the Conservatives have much cause for (cautious) celebration, Ukip looks on the brink of extinction, Labour has had a dismal showing – and the Liberal Democrats are having a 'neutral' time of it, at least according to Sir Vince Cable.

This is a somewhat optimistic gloss on the party's showing today. The Lib Dems have lost 34 seats but have seen their share of the national vote jump by seven pc. Now this doesn't sound too bad -- especially when compared to the plight of other parties -- but given the party has been predicted a surge in support, it's a rather disappointing result.

Tim Farron had hoped to seize the momentum given to his party since the EU referendum result to mount a sizeable comeback. As the only unashamedly pro-EU party, they are vying to win back seats off the Conservatives in Remain areas (as they did in the Richmond Park by-election) and also try and mount a comeback in the West Country (which used to be a Lib Dem heartland -- even if it did vote for Brexit). What's particularly worrying for the party is that it's the Greens, not Lib Dems, who have received a boost in the West Country -- successfully defending a number of seats while making gains across the region.

The fact that only the national vote has risen suggests that any surge for the Lib Dems is not coming together in a targeted way that will achieve results in June.