Conservatives lose control of county council

The Conservatives have suffered losses in Sussex in the local elections, losing control of West Sussex County Council for the first time since 1997.

The party had historically dominated both East and West Sussex county councils, but no longer control either.

On East Sussex County Council, Reform UK are now the largest party, but without an overall majority, while the Green Party won control of Hastings Borough Council.

Across Sussex, all 120 seats on the two county councils were contested, and partial elections were held in Hastings, Adur, Worthing and Crawley.

On Hastings Borough Council, which was previously under no overall control, the Green Party now holds 19 of the 32 seats, with Reform UK second and Labour now in third place

Labour held Adur District Council and Crawley Borough Council, but lost Worthing, leaving that council under no overall control.

In Hastings, council leader Glenn Haffenden said: "To get a majority today, I don't even know how to actually even explain that in words."

After Reform UK picked up 55 seats across both county councils, Peter Griffiths, representing Uckfield South with Framfield, said: "We didn't have a party a year ago, and so we have made enormous strides in that time. I hope we can carry on making enormous strides."

Martin Kenward, representing Bexhill East, was previously in the Conservative party. When asked if he made the right move, he said: "I think I did."

Meanwhile, Bryan Turner, chairman of East Worthing & Shoreham Conservative Association, criticised the winning parties in his area after his own party had major losses.

"I think it's doubly disappointing, because for the first time in our local political history we've got quite significant representation from parties who really have a divisive philosophy," he said.

"I look forward with interest to see how they get on now they actually have to take some decisions."

As Labour suffered losses across the country, Crawley's Labour MP Peter Lamb said he had renewed calls for the prime minister to resign.

"I called for Keir Starmer to go two months ago, I said he should set out a timetable," Lamb said.

"Had he done so at the time, many more of my local government colleagues could be here today."

Julia Hilton, who was re-elected as an East Sussex county councillor for the Green Party in Old Hastings and Tressell, said her party was "delighted" with the results.

After a number of women were elected, she said: "There's a really powerful female voice coming from Hastings to influence East Sussex County Council."

She said voters had said they wanted to see roads repaired and potholes fixed, and also raised concerns about adult social care, housing and education.

Hilton also said people had felt "distant" from how decisions were made, adding: "I think we really need to change that."

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