Lib Dem-olition job in elections
A RECORD breaking night was enjoyed by the Conservatives in East Hampshire as they claimed the biggest margin of victory ever recorded in district council elections.
The Tories won an overwhelming 39 out of 44 seats, extending their majority in the council chamber at Penns Place and leaving the Liberal Democrats clinging on to just five seats – all in the Whitehill and Bordon wards.
The Lib Dems suffered an horrendous night, with their district council leader Jerry Janes losing his Alton Wooteys seat to Tory David Orne.
In total the Lib Dems lost nine seats compared to the number they held in 2007. The Conservatives took all six wards in Alton, gaining five seats in the town.
Elsewhere they made gains in Horndean Kings, Horndean Murray, Clanfield and Finchdean and in Petersfield Causeway.
Tory leader Cllr Patrick Burridge said: “It was an extremely pleasing result for the Conservative party in East Hampshire.
“It is very much an unprecedented position and we are yet to see how it will pan out.”
He was surprised at how the Lib Dem vote collapsed in the district and he paid tribute to the hard working councillors who had lost their seats.
Cllr Burridge said: “We have had strong opposition in the form of the Liberal Democrats in the past, but they are only five in number now.
“We hope they will be able to hold us to account, but it will be hard work for them.
“They will each have to take a greater share of the load.”
He added the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, which inspects cabinet decisions at EHDC, would still be chaired by a Liberal Democrat councillor.
He confirmed Cllr Ken Moon had been re-elected to serve as deputy leader, while the cabinet had been extended from nine to 10 positions, with Cllr Judy Onslow, Cllr Guy Stacpoole and Cllr Glynis Watts each being promoted to the front bench.
Cllr Burridge added: “I think the message we need to get across is that we will represent every single member of the community in East Hampshire, regardless of how they have voted and who they have supported.”
New Lib Dem leader in East Hampshire, Cllr Adam Carew, blamed the loss on Conservative voters coming out to say ‘No to AV’.
He said: “A lot of people have been saying Nick Clegg is a bit of a millstone around Lib Dem necks. His low popularity rating has had a negative effect.”
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Weather for Petersfield
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
