CONSERVATIVES in Waverley lost more than half their borough councillors as the local authority plummeted from a 49-seat Tory majority to no overall control.

The shock result saw five members of the council’s executive, including the mayor Denise Le Gal and deputy leader Ged Hall, lose their seats, while the Lib Dems saw 14 new councillors elected and the Farnham Residents gained 12 to become the second largest party.

The Greens and Labour also saw two new councillors elected each, bringing the Conservatives’ total losses to 30.

It leaves Waverley a hung council, with no one party gaining a clear majority. The Tories can lay claim to the leadership of the council as the largest party, but are likely to face challenges by Farnham Residents, possibly in partnership with the ‘Progressive Alliance’ of the Lib Dems, Labour and Greens.

Haslemere results at the borough elections count, held at the town’s The Edge sports centre, began with a triple win for the Lib Dems in the Critchmere and Shottermill wards – countered by a triple win for the Tories in Haslemere East and Grayswood.

But as the count wound down to a close, there was still time for a dramatic finale.

After three recounts, Lib Dem Geoff Whitby and Tory Peter Isherwood were tied in second place in Hindhead. Five ballots were then marked for each candidate and returning officer Tom Horwood drew the winning ballot – in favour of Mr Isherwood.

In the surrounding area, both Chiddingfold and Witley and Hambledon wards stayed true blue, but Milford saw Lib Dem Christine Baker and Independent Jack Lee oust the Tories with double the number of votes.

A former Tory deputy leader, Mr Hall was a high-profile casualty of the count, relocating from a safe seat in Frensham to allow leader Julia Potts to stand, and contesting Hindhead, his home territory, instead.

In a double whammy, he lost his seat at the borough election count on Friday and the town council count on Saturday. Fellow Haslemere Tory borough council executive members Jim Edwards and Carole King were also ousted, with Mr Edwards going on to lose his town council seat.

It was a different picture over the borders, with Tories on top in both the Grayshott ward in East Hampshire District Council and Fernhurst ward in Chichester District Council.

Sitting Grayshott District councillor Ferris Cowper comfortably saw off the opposition with 451 votes, compared to 245 cast for Lib Dem David Jamieson, who came second.

Overall, East Hants’ Conservative majority was reduced from 42 to 32 of the 44 seats on offer, with seven Lib Dem seats and two for both Labour and Independents.

Also romping home in Fernhurst were Conservatives Norma Graves and Peter Wilding with 969 and 922 votes respectively, and Lib Dem John Morton coming third with 690.

Overall, however, Chichester District Council Tories have lost control, with 18 seats to 11 for the Lib Dems, two for Labour, two for the Greens, two for the newly-formed Local Alliance and one Independent.

Former Conservative leader Tony Dignum was re-elected and stepped down as chief yesterday.

For full results, see this week’s Haslemere Herald.