Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Labour and Christchurch Independents respond after New Forest District Council and BCP Council local elections 2023
Representatives from the New Forest’s main parties have responded after the Conservative party has retained control of NFDC but lost BCP Council at the elections.
The Tories grabbed 26 NFDC seats (down from 46 in 2019), with Liberal Democrats 14 (up from 13), Greens three, Independents four and Labour one.
The number of seats for these elections was reduced to 48 from 60 after boundary changes were adopted in 2021.
Average voter turnout was 33% while the highest individual ward turnout was Sway with 44%.
The new council will meet on 22nd May when a leader will be elected and a new cabinet formed.
Current leader of the council, Cllr Jill Cleary, told the A&T: “I am pleased to say the Conservatives kept overall control of the council.
“We look forward to healthy debate in the council chamber – we are all here for the same reason and that is to represent people of the New Forest.
“I would like to thank all our staff on a well run election count.”
Leader of the Lib Dems, Cllr Malcolm Wade, added: “We have followed the national trend and there are more Liberal Democrat councillors in the New Forest than before the election, including taking control on both Lymington and Totton town councils to add to the control of Hythe and Dibden council, which we already had.
“We look forward to working for the benefit of all New Forest residents over the next four years and working with the other newly elected councillors from other parties to make the much reduced Conservative administration deliver more effective polices to benefit residents.”
A Green party spokesperson said it was “delighted” to have achieved a breakthrough for which its supporters have worked “so long and so hard”.
They added: “Our new councillors will do as promised and work with the other opposition parties to hold the Conservatives to account in making the New Forest a greener, fairer, safer and more prosperous place for all its people.”
New Forest Labour spokesperson James Swyer said: “Thursday’s election made history for Labour in the New Forest, with John Haywood becoming its first elected district councillor since the inception of NFDC in 1974.
“While the New Forest didn’t see the sweeping wave of Labour gains experienced elsewhere in the country, the magnitude of our success in Ringwood north shouldn’t be overlooked.
“All four [candidates] were elected to Ringwood Town Council, which saw the Tories lose two-thirds of their councillors.
“In Ballard – another target ward – we increased our vote share to finish second, while Leila Cameron was elected in Fordingbridge. There’s a clear appetite for change in the area and Labour is playing a big part.”
Meanwhile, the results saw ruling Conservatives lose 22 seats on BCP as the Liberal Democrats gained 15 and Christchurch Independents one.
But while the Lib Dems have the most seats with 28, they needed 39 to take full control.
The total seats now held on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council are: Liberal Democrat 28, Conservatives 12, Labour 11, Christchurch Independents 8, Greens 5, Independents 5, Poole People Independent and Local 5, Poole Engage Action not Words 2.
The first result was announced at 12.45pm, with the Grange ward of Christchurch Town Council declared.
The final ward of East Cliff and Springbourne was announced at 5.15pm.
Voter turnout was 30.62%, with the highest percentage of voters in the Highcliffe and Walkford ward, with 44.05%.
Chair of the Christchurch Independents, Cllr Andy Martin, told the A&T: “We are delighted to have retained our seven seats in Christchurch and to have regained the second seat in Highcliffe.
“We are also very humbled by the support from residents across the borough and the huge number of people who have placed their faith in us.”
He added: “The Conservative administration has been a disaster for Christchurch and the conurbation as a whole.
“We will work to restore honesty, integrity, decency, accountability and transparency to the politics of BCP Council and work tirelessly for every resident on every issue.”
The first new council meeting will take place on 23rd May.
* * * * *
FULL RESULTS:
NFDC
Ashley, Bashley and Fernhill
Turnout 31%
Chloe Bellamy (Lab) 308 votes
Geoffrey Blunden (Con) 981 votes, elected
Jill Cleary (Con) 972 votes, elected
Simon Morgan (Lib) 337 votes
Paul Moxey (Gre) 271 votes
John Pemberton (Gre) 149 votes
Katherine Roberts (Lab) 244 votes
Beverley Scott-Johns (Lib) 438 votes
* * * * *
Ashurst, Bramshaw, Copythorne and Netley Marsh
Turnout 36%
Muriel Frend (Lab) 350 votes
James Hartley-Binns (Con) 740votes
Timothy Mawby (Lab) 272 votes
Joe Reilly, (Ind), 966 votes, elected
Benjamin Thompson (Lib) 540 votes
Derek Tipp (Con) 1,027 votes, elected
* * * * *
Ballard
Turnout 28%
Charles Baker (Lib) 137 votes
Emily Hamilton (Gre) 94 votes
Nick Lambert, Britain First, 108 votes
Neil Tungate (Con) 348 votes, elected
Helen Wallis-Dowling (Lab) 167 votes
* * * * *
Barton and Becton
Turnout 35%
Kristina Bourdillon (Gre) 310 votes
Keith Craze (Con) 1,147 votes, elected
Susan Lewis (Lib) 421 votes
Day Macaskill (Gre) 216 votes
Alan O'Sullivan (Con) 1,087 votes, elected
Rainer Preis (Lib) 489 votes
Peter Terry (Lab) 200 votes
* * * * *
Bransgore, Burley, Sopley and Ringwood East
Turnout 35%
John Adams (Con) 649 votes
Anna Collar (Gre) 581 votes
Kevin Flack (Lab) 130 votes
Pippa Haywood (Lab) 179 votes
Nigel Linford (Ind) 805 votes, elected
Neil Millington (Gre) 725 votes, elected
Dean Samber (Con) 514 votes
* * * * *
Brockenhurst and Denny Lodge
Turnout 44%
Michael Harris (Con) 528 votes
Jon Horne (Lab) 118 votes
Adam Parker (Gre) 671 votes, elected
* * * * *
Dibden and Dibden Purlieu
Turnout 33%
Emily Heron (Con) 506 votes
Stephanie Osborne (Lib) 874 votes, elected
Leigh Smith (Lab) 170 votes
David Twydell (Con) 455 votes
Malcom Wade (Lib) 1,025 votes, elected
Brian Wilkinson (Lab) 137 votes
* * * * *
Downlands and Forest North
Turnout 41%
Annie Bellows (Con) 496 votes
Martin Phillips (Lab) 90 votes
Janet Richards (Gre) 562 votes, elected
* * * * *
Fawley, Blackfield, Calshot and Langley
Turnout 28%
Alan Alvey (Con) 747 votes, elected
Michael Garside (Lab) 206 votes
Patricia Gillam (Lab) 214 votes
Matthew Hartmann (Con) 693 votes, elected
Angela Pearson (Lib) 499 votes
Jeni Rose (Lib) 451 votes
* * * * *
Fordingbridge, Godshill and Hyde
Turnout 35%
Jasmine Bessey (Lab) 215 votes
Leila Cameron (Lab) 270 votes
Robert Heron (Con) 673 votes
David Millar (Lib) 1,118 votes, elected
Ann Sevier (Con) 725 votes
Phil Woods (Lib) 1,085 votes, elected
* * * * *
Forest and Solent
Turnout 37%
James Gallagher (Gre) 380 votes
Dan Poole (Con) 554 votes, elected
Vincent Slattery (Lab) 166 votes
* * * * *
Hardley, Holbury and North Blackfield
Turnout 25%
Peter Armstrong (Ind) 393 votes, elected
David Cole (Lib) 177 votes
Allan Glass (Con) 463 votes, elected
Sherri Johnstone (Lab) 238 votes
Josie Poole (Con) 375 votes
Sally Read (Lib) 236 votes
Ceri Roberts (Lab) 221 votes
Paul Saunders (Ind) 253 votes
* * * * *
Hythe Central
Turnout 37%
Ivan Caric (Lab) 147 votes
Phillip Dowd (Lib) 970 votes, elected
Chris Harrison (Con) 741 votes
Terri Marwood (Con) 685 votes
Scott Saffin (Lab) 128 votes
Alex Wade (Lib) 1,112 votes, elected
* * * * *
Hythe South
Turnout 25%
Mark Clark (Lib) 736 votes, elected
Sean Cullen (Lib) 704 votes, elected
Eric Davey (Con) 364 votes
Clare Davison (Lab) 186 votes
Katherine Herbert (Lab) 171 votes
Brenda Spearing (Con) 346 votes
* * * * *
Lymington
Turnout 37%
Barry Dunning (Con) 962 votes, elected
Jacqui England (Ind) 880 votes, elected
Trina Hart (Lab) 348 votes
Ted Jearrad (Lib) 528 votes
Hannah Phillips (Lib) 586 votes
Simon Smith (Con) 723 votes
Jerry Weber (Lab) 250 votes
* * * * *
Lyndhurst and Minstead
Turnout 40%
Hilary Brand (Lib) 577 votes, elected
Brice Stratford (Con) 475 votes
Christopher Willsher, (Lab) 130 votes
* * * * *
Marchwood and Eling
Turnout 31%
Sue Bennison (Con) 694 votes
Kenneth Kershaw (Lab) 197 votes
Patrick Mballa (Lib) 776 votes, elected
Dave Moran (Lab) 194 votes
Lindsey Shelley (Lib) 685 votes
Richard Young (Con) 938 votes, elected
* * * * *
Milford and Hordle
Turnout 36%
Dominic Boddington (Gre) 827 votes
Sandra Delemare (Lib) 705 votes
David Hawkins, (Con) 1,418 votes, elected
Emily Jagger (Lib) 936 votes
Stuart Nundy (Lab) 335 votes
Alvin Reid (Con) 1,317 votes, elected
Helen Sloan (Lab) 488 votes
Ivor Spreadbury (Ind) 1,000 votes
Christine Ward (Con) 1,339 votes, elected
* * * * *
Milton
Turnout 29%
Martin Ashman (Lab) 295 votes
Steve Clarke (Con) 810 votes, elected
Steve Davies, (Con) 822 votes, elected
Wyn Davies (Lib) 598 votes
Jo Drayton (Lib) 497 votes
* * * * *
Pennington
Turnout 30%
Bronwen Bridges (Lab) 283 votes
Tom Brindley (Con) 612 votes
Jack Davies, (Lib)s 1,007 votes, elected
Ian Loveless (Con) 541 votes
Colm McCarthy (Lib) 785 votes, elected
Joanna Sawkins (Lab) 261 votes
* * * * *
Ringwood North and Ellingham
Turnout 32%
Liz Barron (Lib) 224 votes
Luke Dadford (Lib) 248 votes
Jeremy Fenner, (Gre) 253 votes
John Haywood (Lab) 754 votes, elected
Peter Kelleher (Lab) 746 votes
Derek Scott (Con) 726 votes
Michael Thierry (Con) 788 votes, elected
* * * * *
Ringwood South
Turnout 31%
Jeremy Allen (Lib) 180 votes
Phillip Day (Ind) 481 votes
Gareth Deboos (Ind) 464 votes
Jeremy Heron (Con) 534 votes, elected
Cameron McDonald (Lib) 144 votes
Stephen Rippon-Swaine (Con) 517 Votes, elected
Timothy Rowe (Gre) 187 votes
James Swyer (Lab) 487 votes
Glenys Turner (Lab) 482 votes
* * * * *
Sway
Turnout 46%
Peter Dance (Lab) 108 votes
Simon King (Gre) 487 votes
Barry Rickman (Con) 737 votes, elected
* * * * *
Totton Central
Turnout 32%
Ian Coombes (Ind) 243 votes
Adrian Johnstone (Lab) 330 votes
Matt Kangarani (Lib) 555 votes
Ian Murray (Con) 596 votes, elected
Frances Orchard (Ind) 180 votes
Stephen Shepherd (Lib) 568 votes
John Sleep (Con) 647 votes, elected
David Smith (Lab) 287 votes
* * * * *
Totton North
Turnout 25%
Roland Bishop (Lab) 333 votes
Alex Brunsdon (Lib) 501 votes
Kathleen Crisell (Con) 774 votes, elected
Lin Francis (Lib) 505 votes
Kenneth Garrick (Lab) 322 votes
Lynne Garrick (Lab) 340 votes
Steve Hardingson (Lib) 457 votes
Chris Lagdon (Ind) 217 votes
Neville Penman (Con) 1,054 votes, elected
Dave Penny (Con) 814 votes, elected
Ron Scrivens (Ind) 229 votes
* * * * *
Totton South
Turnout 27%
Lisa Carter (Con) 607 votes
Alan Goodfellow (Lab) 191 votes
Len Harris (Con) 506 votes
David Harrison (Lib) 904 votes, elected
Caroline Rackham (Lib) 695 votes, elected
Kit Rodgers (Lab) 157 votes
* * * * ** * * * *
BCP Council (Christchurch wards)
Burton and Grange
Turnout 25.42%
Michael Adams (Con) 445
Robert Dawson (Lib) 365
Simon Dawson (Lab) 228
David Flagg The (Ch Ind) 652 - Elected
Alinda Howland (Lib) 304
Samuel Joynson (Con) 385
Graham Kendrick (Gre) 155
Simon Mccormack (Ch Ind) 727 - Elected
Deb Sutton (Gre) 134
* * * * *
Christchurch Town
Turnout 37.24%
Sam CATO (Gre) 183
Viv Charrett (Ch Ind) 695
Avril Coulton (Ch Ind) 778
Mike Cox (Lib) 1619 - Elected
Julian Spurr (Lab) 208
Luc Swarbrick (Con) 362
Michael Tarling (Lib) 1456 - Elected
Steven Thomas (Gre) 117
John Trickett (Con) 372
* * * * *
Commons
Turnout 37.13%
Robin Adamson Independent 355
Mark Davies (Lib) 380
Tara Fox (Con) 414
Carol Gardiner (Gre) 310
Cat Gold (Lib) 226
Margaret Phipps (Ch Ind) 1757 - Elected
Lynda Price (Con) 226
Vanessa Ricketts (Ch Ind) 1574 - Elected
Peter Stokes (Lab) 294
* * * * *
Highcliffe and Walkford
Turnout 44.05%
Nigel Brooks Independent 324
Lorraine Brown (Lab) 260
Vince Cable Reform UK (Changing Politics for Good) 189
Robin Ede (Lib) 317
Mike Ellis (Con) 354
Keith Harrison (Lib) 168
Andy Martin (Ch Ind) 2810 - Elected
David Martin (Ch Ind) 2450 - Elected
Efe Ohwofasa (Con) 208
Carol Wilcox (Communist Party of Britain) 40
Helen Woodall (Gre) 220
* * * * *
Mudeford Stanpit and West Highcliffe
Turnout 39.30%
Claire Bath (Con) 923
Sam Davies (Lib) 320
Lesley Dedman (Ch Ind) 2004 - Elected
Paul Hilliard (Ch Ind) 1784 - Elected
Adie Saunders (Gre) 294
Erin Tarling (Lib) 305
Ian Wands (Lab) 245
