County Councillors comment on victory

The counting went on well into Thursday night and began again on Friday morning. Results were announced around lunchtime.

Bexhill East changed hands from LibDem candidate Martyn Sheridan Forster to Conservative Martin Kenward, who took 34% of the vote. The LibDems managed 33.8%, making it the closest fought seat in Bexhill, with just six votes separating the candidates. The count was checked and rechecked three times.

The United Kingdom Independence Party won a credible 24.7%.

Cllr Kenward said: "This was my seat four years ago and I'm delighted to have taken it back.

"I'm simply delighted with the result, but I have to look at the volume UKIP have taken. It was a very close thing and hopefully over the next four years I can gain the trust of more of the local population.

He attributed his May 2005 defeat to tactical voting, saying: "At county last time there was no labour candidate, no UKIP. I think the full field this time round shows last year was more an against the Conservative vote, rather than for the Liberals.

"It was by the skin of my teeth, but it only takes one to win, and it's more exciting when it's that close.

"There's a lot of work to be done and a lot of trust to be gained."

The turnout for the ward was 37%, a significant drop from last year's 58.5%.

In Bexhill King Offa Michael Ensor defended his seat with a 22.3% majority of votes from the two-seat ward.

Cllr Ensor said: "Having won at a by-election a year ago I am very grateful for receiving such a high level of support from everyone in Bexhill.

"Obviously during the count I was extremely nervous as to what the result would be but when it was eventually announced on Friday lunchtime it was a resounding success.

"The manifesto issued while we were going out there has committed us to some serious tasks. I think it's going to be significant that all councillors in Bexhill are going to be Conservative. We'll work together to get a common approach for the town. That's something new. We all know each other well, and there's a real opportunity of us working collaboratively on behalf of Bexhill as a whole.

"We're off to County Hall on Wednesday for the induction and to sign our declaration of responsibilty."

Joy Hughes took the ward's second seat with 20.9% of the vote.

She said: "I'm a newcomer as far as county is concerned, but I shall enjoy it that's for sure.

"We now have the whole of the people in Rother to work with.

"I'm never one to take things for granted, though it's a process I've been going through for some time. Elections are fascinating times. Sometimes you might feel they are going wrong, but if the result goes your way the feeling is rather awe-inspiring.

"This was the first time I've been able to watch it all the way through. I'm usually hiding somewhere. By the time it was finished I was absolutely exhausted.

"I am grateful to people who voted for me and I am pleased it's come out the right way."

35% of the electorate turned out, compared with 51.7% the previous year.

The seat in Bexhill West was retained, with a reduced margin, by Conservative candidate Brian Gadd.

Cllr Gadd took 50.9% of the vote, compared to a 45.3% share for Nick Hollington, the LibDem candidate. In 2005, the margin between Cllr Gadd and his LibDem rival stood at 22%.

Cllr Gadd said: "It's nice to keep going and to finish the jobs you've started that you haven't yet been able to finish.

"As far as I'm concerned, people might've voted for other candidates but we will look after them no matter their affiliation."

Asked about the lower numbers of voters who turned out, Cllr Gadd said he believed some people had used their vote to protest, either voting LibDem or not voting at all.

With 46%, Bexhill West still had the highest turnout, but the figures drop from 70% in 2005.

Cllr Gadd added: "To all the people who helped me and all the people who voted for me, may I give them my grateful thanks."