When will we find out who is in charge of Gosport Borough Council?
No one party in Gosport has enough seats to form a majority.
Gosport residents will soon find out which political party are going to run the council.
The local election - held two weeks ago, but already feeling like a distant memory - saw Reform UK gain nine seats, most of which came at the expense of the Liberal Democrats. Now, there is no political party with an overall majority, leading to a “hung” council.
As it stands, the Conservatives have 11 seats, Reform has 10, six belong to the Lib Dems, and there is one independent councillor. With the most seats, the Conservatives are the most likely to take power, although Reform could push to form government having “won” the local election.
Last week, the Tories ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition with either Reform or the Lib Dems - intending to rule with a minority instead, as their Liberal Democrat predecesors did.
New Conservative group leader, Cllr Zoe Huggins, said: “There will be no coalition, neither with Reform nor the Lib Dems. But we are a minority of one, so I’m under no illusion that it’ll be all about collaborative working.
“There is a need to bring back transparency in Gosport, and I think if we don’t work together, we risk creating instability for the town. We simply want to do what’s best for Gosport.
“This is ultimately about a reset for the council - delivering practical results, more delivery with less spin, proper engagement with residents, and restoring confidence.”
The leadership of Gosport Borough Council will be decided tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20), at an adjourned council meeting that starts at 6pm - seven hours after the start of the mayor-making council ceremony, to be held at Thorngate Hall.
There, the ceremonial positions of mayor and deputy mayor will be appointed, as well as awards for citizen of the year, young citizen of the year and the Graham Hewitt award.
Later in the day, councillors will reconvene at Gosport Town Hall to decide upon leadership, as well as which members will sit on which boards.