Local elections 2026: Reform looking 'very strong' but keeping cards close to their chest
The Liberal Democrats are expecting to lose control of Gosport - and Reform could be picking up the slack.
Reform UK will keep their cards “close to their chest” as results could force the incumbent Liberal Democrats out of power.
The local election count is well and truly underway in Gosport, with votes being tallied up for both the county and borough councils. For the town itself, the Liberal Democrats - who currently rule with a minority - are expecting to lose control of the council tonight.
As with many other places up and down the country, the momentum appears to be with Reform, as the party is poised to pick up a fair few seats in Gosport.
Prior to this evening, the only Reform councillor on the borough council was Cllr Paul Carter. A candidate for the Bridgemary division for Hampshire County Council tonight, he told The News that people are fed up with the Lib Dems’ “vanity projects”.
He said: “Speaking to voters, people talked about the cost of living, road repairs and not feeling they’re getting value for money out of the Lib Dems.
“People feel the Criterion Theatre stuff was a waste of money, and the same with the People’s Park - people are seeing it’s not the all singing, all dancing castle the Lib Dems said it was.
“Reform is looking really strong, particularly for Bridgemary. We won the by-election there [in January], Elson is looking good and we could take ward tonight.”
When asked about the prospect of aligning with the Conservatives to take 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.”