LABOUR made some big gains in the Basingstoke and Deane local elections – but it was not enough to wrestle power from the ruling Conservative party.

The public went to the polls last Thursday, with 21 of the council’s 60 seats up for grabs.

At the end of the election count, held at Queen Mary’s College, in Cliddesden Road, Labour had gained three seats, while the Tories and Liberal Democrats each lost two.

Independent candidate Chris Tomblin, who was able to snatch Bramley and Sherfield from Conservative Rhydian Vaughan, increased the number of independents on the council to three.

Delighted Labour group leader Councillor Laura James called it an “amazing” result for her party. She told The Gazette: “This shows that the Tory administration has to sit up and take notice.”

One of many hotly-contested wards was Brighton Hill South, where former Brighton Hill Community College headteacher David Eyre (484 votes) gained the seat from Liberal Democrat Kevin Harkess (338).

Mr Eyre, representing Labour, said he was “delighted” with the faith shown in him by residents. He told The Gazette: “We have campaigned hard for this, and I can promise a fresh start.”

Twenty-four-year-old Jack Cousens has become the youngest Labour councillor on the council after winning Brookvale and Kings Furlong from long-standing Liberal Democrat Doris Jones, who has been on the council since 2002.

Cllr Cousens won the seat by a majority of 108 votes, and said he was “excited” about serving on the council.

Elsewhere, the outgoing Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr David Leeks retained his Tadley South seat, while Labour’s deputy group leader Cllr Paul Harvey won comfortably in Norden.

Labour were also able to retain both seats in their stronghold of Popley East, with former group leader David Potter returning to the political frontline with newcomer Vivien Washbourne. Cllr Jane Frankum (632) retained Popley West, beating Conservative Paul Watts (142) and Lib Dem Stephen Whitechurch (56).

Meanwhile, Conservative Elaine Still fought off a spirited challenge from independent Jo Walke in Chineham. Cllr Still, Cabinet member for the environment, gained 900 votes to Mrs Walke’s 735.

Despite his party’s losses, Tory council leader Cllr Clive Sanders said he was happy to retain a working majority of four on the council. He added: “There are a lot of challenges but also a lot of exciting times to be had.”

Reflecting on a bad night for his party, Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Gavin James said: “It has not been the greatest night of my life. We have held two seats and lost two seats.

“We knew it would be difficult but we are still in Government making decisions, and I am happy about that.”

The United Kingdom Independence Party, which launched its biggest-ever assault on the council offices, was unable to take any seats, but did beat the Liberal Democrats in South Ham.

The results mean the Conservatives now have 32 seats, Labour have 14, Liberal Democrats 11, and there are three independents. The average turnout was low at 30 per cent.