The Conservatives won a dramatic victory last night in the local elections.
The Liberal Democrats lost five wards including that of the Lib Dem leader Sheila Campbell. The Labour group leader, Patrick Davies also lost his ward. Overall, the Conservatives gained seven wards and are now in overall control of Winchester City Council. Conservative group leader, George Beckett, becomes leader of the Council and will be forming the new administration.
State of the parties: Conservatives 29, Liberal Democrat 21, Independent 4, Labour 3.
Conservative candidates won in Kings Worthy, Owslebury & Curdridge, Shedfield & Waltham Chase, Sparsholt, Swanmore & Newtown, St. Barnabas and St. Luke.
Conservatives also came very close to winning in wards which had been thought safely held by other parties. St John & All Saints was held by Labour but by only 9 votes. Oliver's Battery & Badger Farm was held by the Lib Dems but by only 8 votes. We were also only 57 behind in Bishop's Waltham (see Local News item on ballot box catching fire), 109 behind in St Bartholomew, 120 in St Paul and 121 in Colden Common & Twyford.
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who supported the Conservatives on May 4th and all those who helped during the campaign. For the first time in 22 years it will now be possible to put Conservative ideas into practice on Winchester City Council. Conservatives are deeply conscious of the responsibility that the voters have placed in their hands and will be doing their best to use tax payers money wisely, be responsive to the views of local people, and to strike a proper balance between the needs of the City and its surrounding villages and countryside.
For the full results please click here.