Brenda Smith And Malcolm Wade – Hythe And Dibden

At Town & Parish level, results went very well for the party with a lot of new Liberal Democrat Councillors elected and re-elected.

The Lib Dems now hold the most seats on Fawley Parish Council, Hythe and Dibden Council and Marchwood Parish Council.

The situation in Totton is interesting because only 16 of the 20 Councillors have been elected due, to a postponement in Totton North. Currently, Conservatives have 10 seats and the Liberal Democrats 6.

The fight for control of the Tory controlled New Forest District Council went pretty much as expected, with the Conservatives keeping control.

The Lib Dems had two good wins in Fordingbridge and put up a strong fight in other areas like Ringwood and Fawley.

Totton was always going to be difficult, with the Lib Dems defending a high water mark. A year ago, Lib Dems held 9 out of the10 seats. In the event, the Conservatives won a series of narrow victories, although had little impact in Totton South where Cllr. David Harrison and Cllr. Alan Weeks enjoyed comfortable wins.

The biggest surprise at the count (held the day after polling day) was probably the defeat of Conservative Cabinet member, Jeremy Heron. However, this was almost matched by the fact that long serving Lib Dem Councillor, Barbara Maynard, was beaten by a Tory opponent.

Attention now turns to June 14th when the Totton North election will take place, along with a fight for the remaining District Council seat, for Copythorne North & Bramshaw.