Conservatives retain strong Havant foothold gaining two new seats
Labour snap up remaining seats
THE CONSERVATIVES have retained a strong majority in the Havant local election count, gaining two more seats.
Of the 14 seats in Havant Borough Council up for election, 12 of them were taken by the Conservatives with Labour candidates winning the remaining seats.
Before the vote, Councillor
Alex Rennie, leader of the council and Bondfields ward candidate said it was a ‘tough campaign’ for the Conservatives.
‘We’ve fought a really hard fight, especially in my ward,’ he said.
‘There’s been a three-way contest between the Green Party and Labour - it’s looking like quite a close election.’
After winning the Bondfields with a 118 vote majority, Cllr Rennie added: ‘It was a solid result - as we know it was a tough election.
‘Voters clearly have made their feelings known about what’s happening nationally.
‘I’m very grateful to be elected - we will now be working even harder to repay the favour of voters who voted Conservative today.’
Phil Munday is the first Labour candidate to be elected into St Faiths ward with an 819 vote majority
He said: ‘I feel really chuffed, I hoped I might win, I didn’t expect to win by that majority.
‘An awful lot of people helped me so it’s almost a community effort so I'm really pleased about that.
‘There has never been a Labour councillor for St Faiths and I think in about 40 years there’s only been one Lib Dem - I think it will be an interesting change.
‘It will give us a chance to challenge the issues - I've been very unhappy with it being such a big majority for the Conservatives.’
Total voter turnout was 28.99 per cent - the council now comprises 35 Conservative councillors, two Labour and one Independent.
Voters clearly have made their feelings known about what’s happening nationally Alex Rennie