Local elections 2026: Reform oust Lib Dems from Gosport strongholds as Tories hold seats
The Liberal Democrats had been running Gosport Borough Council with a minority.
Reform UK has made big gains in Gosport at the expense of the incumbent Liberal Democrats - but they won’t sweep the entire town.
Overnight, local election ballots were counted at Gosport Leisure Centre, but a combination of high turnout and a shortage of counters meant results only started to trickle in this morning.
The Conservatives have held both Alverstoke and Anglesey wards, while Reform has seized control of Liberal Democrat strongholds such as Bridgemary and Elson - ousting veteran councillors such as Steve Hammond and Sue Ballard in the process.
It comes as the Liberal Democrats are expecting to lose their control of Gosport, as Reform are poised to take most of the seats up for grabs.
Cllr Paul Carter, the only Reform councillor in Gosport until this point, said: “We’re absolutely ecstatic with the results - we have done so much better than I thought we would, and have completely mopped up the Lib Dems.
“Politicians like Steve Hammond and Sue Ballard are big names to take down. I think people are simply fed up with all the vanity projects taking place thanks to the Liberal Democrats, like the Criterion Theatre and People’s Park, and I think they want the change.
“Seeing such a high turnout is fantastic too. We’re seeing percentages in the 40s and 50s, it really is incredible to see.”
Leader of Gosport’s Liberal Democrats, Cllr Peter Chegwyn, did not have his seat up for election this year, but from the outset was worried about how his colleagues would fare.
Speaking to The News earlier in the night, he said: “It’s obviously going to be a very good night for Reform. They’re certainly going to take seats, possibly off all three parties. The election campaign itself has actually been really unpleasant. People are upset with everyone, no matter which party they represent, and Reform appears to be their answer to that.
“I’m worried that we’ll lose Forton, Hardway, and Bridgemary, and we’ll almost certainly lose Rowner and Holbrook.
“We’ve relied on Labour support for a minority, but they might not have any seats left by the end of the night. If we do lose the council, it’ll mean a much less stressful life for me, at least.”
Upon winning Bridgemary from the Lib Dems, newly-elected Reform member, Cllr Clare Bond, said: “I want to thank everyone who has voted. Whether you voted Reform or not, this is a win for democracy.”
Conservative candidate for Lee East, Cllr Graham Burgess, remained optimistic about his party’s chances throughout the count.
He said: “I’m looking forward to possibly gaining a seat or two. But I do think a lot of people voting aren’t aware of the difference between national and local elections, and what councillors do compared to MPs.
“In the Lee East ward, we didn’t have any leaflets from Reform, but we had the national ones from Nigel Farage - so it’s not costing the candidate anything, and I think that’s a bit tricky.
“I agree [about the Lib Dems being in trouble]; it’ll be a case of waiting to see the final results, the scores on the doors for each party, and who has which seats. I expect the leader of the Conservatives could speak to the leader of Reform - if not it’ll be a hung council.”
Late in the count, two of the most hotly-contested seats were for Peel Common, and Lee East, where the Conservatives and Reform battled it out at the polls.
Cllr Burgess and the Conservatives were able to hold onto Lee East, with Cllr Stephen Philpott also retaining his seat in Peel Common.
When asked about the prospect of Reform aligning with the Conservatives to take majority control of Gosport Borough Council, Cllr Carter said: “Nothing at the moment. We’re keeping our cards close to our chest, and we’re the only party fielding 14 candidates.
The political make-up of the council is now:
- 11 Conservative
- 10 Reform
- 6 Liberal Democrat
- 1 Independent