Following the local election counts in Southport yesterday, and the Northern Parishes (West Lancashire) today, it has been confirmed that the Conservatives have won the most seats in the new Southport Constituency.

4 Conservative councillors have been elected across the revised Southport seat, which now includes the villages of Banks, Hesketh Bank, Tarleton, and Rufford. They are:

• Cllr Mike Prendergast (Dukes)
• Cllr Ian Eccles (North Meols & Hesketh Bank)
• Cllr John Mee (Tarleton Village)
• Cllr David Westley (Tarleton Village)

In comparison to the 4 Conservative victories, Labour held 3 seats, the Lib Dems 2, and the independent OWLS gained one seat. The Conservatives narrowly missed out on winning a fifth seat to the OWLs, and a sixth seat from the Lib Dems.

Following the counts Cllr Thomas de Freitas, Deputy Chairman of Southport Conservative Association, said:

“Despite the difficult polling landscape nationally, Southport Conservatives and local MP Damien Moore have bucked the national trend and pulled out all the stops - successfully defending three of the seats we held - whilst also electing a new councillor in Tarleton, and narrowly missing out on a further gains in Cambridge and Burscough Bridge & Rufford.

“I’m very proud of our campaign team who have been out knocking on doors, delivering leaflets, and pushing out our positive message. We would like to offer our sincere thanks to the thousands of people who voted for us.

“Both Southport Conservatives and Damien Moore MP are thrilled to have won these elections in the new Southport constituency, and we’re looking forward to continuing this momentum into our general election campaign - which is now our full focus.”

Good spin. Put Alistair Campbell to shame

How many were gains from other political parties? Care to share?