REFORM UK has taken all four East Sussex County Council seats in Bexhill following Thursday’s local elections, in a dramatic political shift across the town.
Voters headed to the polls on Thursday (May 7) to decide who would represent Bexhill East, North, South and West at County Hall, with Reform candidates emerging victorious in every division.
In Bexhill East, Reform’s Martin Kenward secured victory with 1,267 votes, comfortably ahead of independent candidate Charles Clarke on 604 votes. Green Party candidate Tina Neale polled 502, while Conservative Simon Elford received 441 votes. Turnout in the ward was 42 per cent, with 3,562 votes cast.
In Bexhill North, Donald Walmsley won for Reform with 1,056 votes, ahead of the Rother Association of Independent Councillors’ Abul Azad, who secured 864 votes. Conservative Paul Peters received 484 votes, while Liberal Democrat Jimmy Stanger polled 410. Turnout was 41 per cent, with 3,422 votes cast.
Bexhill South saw another Reform gain, with Victoria Carson elected after receiving 1,333 votes. Conservative Ian Hollidge came second with 978 votes, while Green Party candidate Ariel Rathbone secured a notable 825 votes and Labour’s Christine Bayliss polled 704. Turnout in the division was 44 per cent, with 4,267 votes cast.
The highest turnout in the town was recorded in Bexhill West, where 52 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballots. Reform’s Pete Morley won the seat with 1,647 votes, ahead of independent Connor Winter on 1,307 and Conservative Joe Carter on 1,047. A total of 5,002 votes were cast.
Across the county, the results mean no single party holds a majority of the 50 divisions in East Sussex.
The overall results are:
- Reform UK – 22 members
- Liberal Democrats – 13 members
- Green Party – 11 members
- Conservative – 3 members
- Independent – 1 member
The new council will meet for the first time at its annual meeting on Thursday, May 21.
The results mean Reform UK will now represent all of Bexhill’s divisions on East Sussex County Council, as the political landscape in the town undergoes a significant shake-up.
