Local elections 2023: Conservatives lose grip on Hampshire stronghold

The Conservatives have lost a long-held stronghold in Hampshire to no overall control.

The Tories lost 12 seats on East Hampshire District Council, but remain the largest party.

There was no political change elsewhere in the county, with the Conservatives keeping their majorities in Havant, New Forest, Rushmoor and Test Valley.

Labour easily held on to Southampton, while the Liberal Democrats strengthened their grip in Eastleigh.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hart District Council remain under no overall control.

Portsmouth City Council also remains hung after independents were the main beneficiaries of Conservative losses.

Independents gained three seats, including former Labour group leader Cal Corkery, who was re-elected even though he was expelled from the party.

The Liberal Democrats remain the largest party with 18 seats, four short of a majority.

Labour easily held on to power at Southampton City Council, gaining another 10 seats.

The party now has 35 councillors, while the Conservatives, who controlled Southampton as recently as last year, are on nine.

A separate election will be held in the city to elect three councillors in Coxford after the death of Conservative councillor Graham Galton on Thursday led to polling being abandoned.

In the New Forest, the Conservatives lost 17 seats but held on to the district council by a majority of four.

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