So, as one of my last posts as your District Councillor I am pleased to update you on the election results in Horndean, our adjacent villages and the wider picture at EHDC.
After the polls closed late this evening the ballot boxes were taken to Petersfield where the votes were validated (counted to make sure the right number of used and unused ballot papers are there) which takes about 2 hours. The wards are then finally counted – a process that takes about 4 hours.
This is however a very tense period… The votes are put onto the tables and counted and checked by a second party. During this the candidates and their agents are able to witness the process – usually with clipboards making notes on the numbers of votes they can see to get an early view of the result.
Trust me. After a number of years working hard in our community you want to know you were worth voting back in again. If you weren’t then…
The formal counting process is lengthy and with 40 to 50 counters and managers supervising the process it is fast moving and difficult to keep track of.
Yesterday EHDC had 43 conservative and 1 independent as the makeup and this has long been overdue for redress. It is time that there was an effective opposition. Previously our opposition has been fellow Councillors paddling in the wrong direction. Tonight a few of these members found their selves out of office.
So, what were our local results?
Sara Schillemore (Conservative) Horndean Catherington Lovedean – uncontested
Tony Denton (Conservative) takes on Downs Ward
Chris Hatter (Conservative) takes on Hazleton Blendworth ward
David Evans (Conservative) secures Hazleton Blendworth ward
Elaine Woodward (Liberal Democrats) wins Horndean Murray ward from Lynn Evans
Ken Moon (Conservative) Clanfield
Chris Hatter (Conservative) Clanfield
Malcolm Johnston (Conservative) Rowlands Castle
A very hearty congratulations to everyone who was re-elected and whatever the party politics hopefully they will represent the local community first and foremost.
At the wider EHDC the votes were as follows:
Conservative Party 32 seats
Liberal Democrats 7 seats
Labour 2 seats
Independent 2 seats
Some of the interesting outcomes of the evening…
We knew that there was a large Anti-Government feel with the way Brexit is being handled. This was reflected not only in the vote but also in the number of ‘spoiled ballots’ where ballot papers are used not to cast a vote but instead to write a message giving a view on the candidate, or in this case politics in general. Some of the spoiled ballots were very carefully thought out with their remarks. In some cases the number of spoiled ballots exceeded the number of candidates votes…
The Green party had a large number of candidates in the elections and started to gather a number of votes in some wards.
The turnout at the polls was about 30% to 35% which is larger than was anticipated.
Whoever you voted for thank you for voting – and hopefully the newly elected members will look after our interests well!
Best wishes
Guy.
horndeanmatters 
Cant wait for Euro Elections, when Brexit wipe the board. With GE to follow and similar results. Remember Trust not Tricks and All major parties have been playing stupid games with us.
Do you know if Tony will take over Horndean Matters or start his own blog?
Thank you Guy. Hopefully Horndeanmatters will continue to be supported.
Regards, Celia Howard
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Guy, again many thanks; I trust that you will keep Horndean Matters up & running.
Is there somewhere where we can find out the number of spoilt ballot papers, preferably by ward; or better still have details of what was written on them?
Regards
Nigel
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Dear Guy,
Thank you for sending us the district election results – and so promptly!
My husband and I (how regal!) are very sorry indeed that you are standing down as a district councillor. We think you have done an excellent job, and have been particularly grateful for “Horndean Matters”. It has kept us very well informed about what’s happening in the locality, and has caused us to take action on many occasions.
It has been particularly valuable on planning matters – White Dirt Farm and the land East of Horndean in particular.
It has also explained clearly, and in a balanced way, what EHDC is doing, and why.
We wish you every happiness in whatever you take on next.
Grateful thanks,
Sue Snowden
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Guy Thank you for all you did for Horndean/Clanfield during your time in office especially White Dirt Farm.
You always kept the community informed as to what was happening in the area etc.
We hope your successor will continue your good work and continue distributing the Horndean Matters information.
Thank you again and best wishes for the future.
Many thanks Brian and Ann for the kind words! Im planning on keeping the blog going as long the current Councillors are ok to carry on preparing it! Best wishes, Guy.
“I’m planning on keeping the blog going as long the current Councillors are ok to carry on preparing it! ”
Not good enough Guy – we need your unexpurgated comments, particularly now you are not constrained by membership of the Council.
We miss you – get writing – NOW !
Regards
Nigel