Reform celebrate historic Bridgemary by-election win
By Connor Steel
REFORM UK were celebrating a historic first ever seat within Gosport Borough Council as they sealed a narrow victory in the Bridgemary ward by-election last Thursday (January 15); the political party building upon a local surge in support throughout 2025 and ensuring that the Liberal Democrats lose their overall control of the Town Hall following this count.
Candidate Paul Carter was duly elected with the total of 604 votes (42.5%) and will now take over the vacant seat after the sudden passing of seventy-six year old Councillor Bob Maynard in November. The Liberal Democrats were second with their candidate Stephen Marshall getting 575 votes overall marking the share of 40% during the final ballot counts.
The Conservative Party came third as Kath Jones earnt a total of 207 votes (14.6%), but they finished above Labour in fourth with just thirty-five votes won by Claire Percival; both parties seeing a ‘decline’ in vote share by over ten percent. Overall turnout was low however with only thirty-two percent registering votes; perhaps due to bad weather on the day.
Victory for Reform means that they have one seat in the Town Hall and the new Councillor has huge local experiences; having been formerly of the Royal Air Force reserve training branch and has run P&J’s Cash and Carry in Gosport. He aims to focus at “tackling anti-social behaviour, fighting for safety, and raising concerns about neglected public spaces.”
He said his personal thoughts after this win was confirmed last Thursday: “I think we have made a bit of history tonight. I really am honoured, and I really am looking forward to getting to know Bridgemary more, I’m really looking forward to putting every single effort into this. I know that the rest of the Reform UK Team in Gosport are as well moving forward.”
By narrowly losing this seat in the council, the Liberal Democrats have fourteen representatives with the Conservatives having 11 in the Town Hall; whilst Labour have two of the 28 wards. Full information about each ward and updates may be seen on the Gosport Borough Council website, which also features links to the town’s crucial services and supports.
PICTURED BY REFORM UK GOSPORT: Elected councillor Paul Carter celebrates a ‘historic success’ for Reform UK.
