A BLUE wave swept through Teignbridge Council when the voters went to the polls in 2011, with 26 seats going to the Conservatives, 13 to the Liberal Democrats and seven Independents.

During those four years the tide has gradually gone out for the Tories, washing away their overall majority as several councillors decided against having a party tag and one – James McMurray, in Teignmouth Central – switching to UKIP.

Three Liberal Democrats also went Independent, leaving the current make up of the district authority at 22 Conservatives, 13 Independents, ten Liberal Democrats and one UKIP.