Winchester MP Steve Brine says he is 'extremely pleased with progress' after another night of gains in the local elections.
Elections to Hampshire County Council – which only take place every four years – were held across the area yesterday (Thursday 2nd May 2013) which saw two new Conservative County Councillors elected in Steve's Winchester & Chandler's Ford constituency.
Fiona Mather won Winchester Eastgate (which includes St Barts, St Michael & St John wards) from the Liberal Democrats, beating Cllr Brian Collin.
Deputy Leader of Winchester City Council Rob Humby also won a seat, winning the Bishops Waltham Division – which includes Colden Common & Twyford – from retiring Lib Dem Peter Mason. The win represents the first time a Conservative has represented the area at local Government level in almost twenty years.
Rob Humby said; "I'm extremely delighted. I always thought I had a chance. We showed we had an understanding of local issues. We made a big thing of me being a local person. I think that was significant."
Meanwhile, it was good news also in Chandler's Ford where Cllr Colin Davidovitz was comfortably re-elected. The result will be especially pleasing to Colin who faced a very negative and personal campaign from local Lib Dems.
Local MP Steve Brine said; "I am extremely pleased with these results which continue our progress across the constituency in recent years. These elections were not about David Cameron, Ed Miliband or even Nick Clegg, they were about electing a county councillor for the next four years and we have some excellent new county councillors I look forward to working with them.
"We completely reject nasty, negative campaigning which reached new levels this year and I am delighted that was rejected, in many but sadly not all, places."
The Hampshire Chronicle newspaper said Winchester Liberal Democrats were "this morning left stunned by the continuing Tory revival across the district" and reported the continuing "Conservative momentum" locally.
Overall at Hampshire County Council, despite gains for UKIP and Labour at these elections, the Conservatives remain in firm control with 45 seats over the Lib Dem opposition which is down to just 17 councillors. UKIP have ten seats on the new county council, Labour have four and the Independents two.
Steve Brine added; "This time yesterday I had just one Conservative county councillor in my constituency whereas today I have three. Sure some areas are still represented by Lib Dem councillors and I will continue to work with them equally for the benefit of local people. I hope they will all, including the new ones, work with me sensibly and maturely to get just things done."
Pictured (top); Steve and Popcorn flanked by Colin Davidovitz, Fiona Mather and Rob Humby with other members of the local Conservative team; and (second) working hard for Chandler's Ford with Colin at Fryern Arcade recently.
More information ...
You can see full results from the Hampshire County Council elections here.