Local Elections 2026: 'Two-horse race' as Reform and Green Party go head to head

The Green Party is hoping to gallop across the finish line as one of its candidates has dubbed the borough’s election a “two-horse race”.

The tension could be cut with a knife at the Havant count as candidates await their fate, but the Green Party has said it is “quietly confident” after upping the ante on its campaign across social media channels.

Jonathan Hulls, who is standing for Hayling West at borough council and Hayling Island at county council, said: “I’m feeling quite positive but more so for borough than county. I’ve been a councillor since 2024 but I am feeling quietly confident but it’s definitely a two-horse race between Green and Reform.

“Reform have thrown a lot of money at Havant from the national party - personally I think they’ve overspent and might get fined.”

In order to maintain its power of administration over the borough council, only three seats need to be secured by either Labour, Green or Lib Dem to continue its current coalition.

Cllr Hulls added: “We have created all of our literature and it’s all been delivered by people on the ground - it’s been great and it isn’t just work over the last few weeks, we’ve been sending out newsletters throughout the year so it is continuous.

“We’ve put out 55 separate videos on social media for Hayling, Emsworth and Leigh Park so we have really put a lot of work into it. We feel really proud of the campaign we’ve run.”