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Conservatives dominate county council elections in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay

00:00, 05 May 2017

updated: 14:55, 05 May 2017

Conservatives took seven of the eight divisions in the Canterbury district in the county council elections.

The result broadly matched the results across the county where the party won 67 of the 81 seats available.

In Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay, the Conservative Party increased its share of the vote from 33% in 2013 to 45% today.

Votes being counted in the Westgate Hall, Canterbury.
Votes being counted in the Westgate Hall, Canterbury.

Ukip lost its two coastal seats here and was wiped out across the county, retaining none of the 17 seats it won four years ago.

Ida Linfield won the sole seat for the Lib Dems, taking Canterbury City South.

She said: "I'm delighted to have won and have brilliant dedicated team behind me."

Ida Linfield
Ida Linfield

The Lib Dems won seven seats, making it the official opposition to the Conservatives.

The result for Herne Village and Sturry was the first to be called anywhere in Kent.

Defending Conservative Alan Marsh won with 2,637 - beating Labour's Lynn Faux-Bowyer by 1,868 votes.

General election candidates Sir Julian Brazier, left, and Lib Dem James Flanagan, right, at the election count in Canterbury.
General election candidates Sir Julian Brazier, left, and Lib Dem James Flanagan, right, at the election count in Canterbury.

He said: "I'm pleased. This is my fourth term and this is the biggest majority vote I've had.

"I'm pleased for myself and have a fantastic team of dedicated people. Thank you to the people who voted for me."

In Canterbury South Conservative Michael Northey defeated Lib Dem Mike Sole by 363 votes.

Canterbury City Council chief executive Colin Carmichael was the returning officer at the Westgate Hall.
Canterbury City Council chief executive Colin Carmichael was the returning officer at the Westgate Hall.

Mr Northey said: "This was my fourth victory and obviously I'm very pleased.

"People talked on the doorsteps about things like potholes and the hospital.

"But they are also very worried about the effects of the Mountfield Park development. The county and city councils will be working very hard to offset its impact."

Labour's Simon Warley at the start of the KCC elecion count in the Westgate Hall, Canterbury.
Labour's Simon Warley at the start of the KCC elecion count in the Westgate Hall, Canterbury.

Labour failed to win a single seat in Canterbury, but came second in seven out of the eight divisions.

Its general election candidate Roise Duffield was among those who attended the count.

She said: "It's encouraging and we've had some positive feedback as we head towards the election on June 8."

Conservative Graham Gibbens won Canterbury City North.
Conservative Graham Gibbens won Canterbury City North.

Returning to KCC is veteran councillor Graham Gibbens, who won in Canterbury City North.

Meanwhile, city councillor Ian Thomas adds a county council victory to one of become district's "two-hatters" by winning Whitstable East and Herne Bay West with a majority of 1,354.

Andrew Cook is the other "two-hatter" following a gigantic victory in Herne Bay East.

Conservative Ian Thomas won Whitstable East and Herne Bay West.
Conservative Ian Thomas won Whitstable East and Herne Bay West.

The overall results saw the Conservatives win 67 seats, the Lib Dems seven and Labour five.

The Green Party won a seat in Folkestone while there was also a victory for the Swanscombe & Greenhithe Residents' Association in Dartford.

Click here for the rundown of the results as they came in.

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