Election 2008: Shock as Bentley loses seat after 22 years
VETERAN councillor Alex Bentley was ousted from his seat in one of the hardest-fought battles of the night.
Young Tory Sarah Dinenage, the 26-year-old daughter of TV presenter Fred, beat him by 251 votes to win control of Milton ward in Portsmouth.
It marked the end of 22 years on the city council for Mr Bentley, who as the city council executive member for traffic and transport had found himself in the line of fire for controversial decisions over parking charges and the 4.2m 'bus portal' fiasco,
He said losing his seat was 'like a death'.
'I have always been very proud of Portsmouth, I cannot have been prouder' he said. 'But there comes a time when there is no more you can do.
'I am extremely tired. I am not bitter, but for 22 years it has been non-stop, and I don't think there's any more I could do.'
Mr Bentley said his difficult portfolio was partly to blame for his loss, but added: 'I think the Conservative campaign has cast doubt on the government and we have been linked with that - that is nothing to do with me and I have no effect on that.
'Someone has been elected on a wave of feeling in the same way I was elected 22 years ago.'
Fellow councillors paid tribute to his years of service.
Lib Dem Hugh Mason, who was his agent when he first stood for election, said: 'I pounded the streets with him more than 20 years ago and I am very, very sorry to see him go.
'He is a person who truly cares for this city.'
Cllr Dineage, who only lost out to Lib Dem leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson in last year's election by 37 votes, admitted: 'Alex Bentley leaves big shoes to fill. Obviously he has had a lot of experience and I have never been on the council before.
'But I think he made some mistakes recently, like the bus portal scheme.
'People need to know where their money is going, and I will make sure I talk to people to find out exactly how they want their money spent.'
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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