Couple hope family ties will lead to ballot box joy in Gosport

Labour and Consevative leaders Mark Smith and Cllr Mark Hook watch the count at Gosport Leisure Centre Picture: Steve Reid Blitz Photography

Karen Bergin is hoping to join her husband, Cllr Patrick Bergin, in the Rowner and Holbrook ward on Gosport’s council.

It is her first election as a candidate, although she has been helping with casework since Cllr Bergin was elected to the ward in 2012.

‘To be honest I don’t know how I’ve done but may the best person win,’ she said.

‘It’s the first time I’ve stood for it.

‘The motivation was the fact my husband is a councillor, he’s managed to get in.’

Cllr Bergin added: ‘We’ve got a good decent core support.’

He won his seat in 2012, beating Tasha Hook, a Tory this year standing in Bridgemary North, by just three votes

She hopes to join her father, leader of the council Mark Hook and mother Cllr Lynn Hook, member for Peel Common.

Neither of those are up for election this year.

Elsewhere, the Liberal Democrats have targeted just eight seats.

POLITICS could be a family affair if two hopefuls win their seats.