Liberal democrats hold Gosport council seat following death of 'much-loved' councillor

RESIDENTS in Gosport have been voting in a by-election following the death of a ‘much-loved’ councillor earlier this year.
Austin Hicks died earlier this yearAustin Hicks died earlier this year
Austin Hicks died earlier this year

Austin Hicks, who represented the Brockhurst ward, died following a battle with a long-term illness.

A by-election was held yesterday to fill the vacancy on Gosport Borough Council and the results have now been announced.

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The Liberal Democrats have held the seat in the Brockhurst ward, with candidate Siobhan Mitchell-Smith winning 52 per cent of the vote.

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Tributes flood in after death of ‘much-loved’ Gosport councillor Austin Hicks

Here are the full results from the Gosport by-election:

- Siobhan Mitchell – Liberal Democrats – 488 votes – 52 per cent

- Pecs Uluiviti – Conservative – 214 votes – 23 per cent

- Simon James Bellord – British Union & Sovereignty Party – 165 votes – 17 per cent

- Kirsty Anne Smillie – Labour – 80 votes – 8 per cent

The total turnout for the by-election was 25.85 per cent.

Speaking following the death of Cllr Hicks earlier this year, the leader of Gosport’s Liberal Democrats Cllr Peter Chegwyn said: ‘I’ve known Austin for 35 years and would say he was one of my best friends.

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‘He was greatly respect by all who knew him and didn’t have a single enemy in the world.

‘Austin was loved and was very hard-working – it's still a huge shock to us all.

‘I've spoken to his wife Carol and his family and everyone is absolutely devastated.’

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