New Eastleigh councillor elected after Lib Dem victory in by-election

Cllr Jim Paine. Photo: EBC
Cllr Jim Paine. Photo: EBC
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A new councillor has been elected to Eastleigh Borough Council after a by-election in Hedge End South.

The vote on Thursday, July 30, was called following the death of long-serving councillor Cynthia Garton in May.

The Liberal Democrats held the seat, with Jim Paine elected as the new borough councillor after topping the poll with 1,086 votes – securing a 497 majority.

Conservative candidate Jerry Hall finished second on 589 votes, followed by Reform UK’s Neil Fleming on 443.

Keith Day, standing for the Green Party, received 199 votes, while Labour’s Will Banks Vincent polled 41.

The result means there is no change to the overall political make-up of Eastleigh Borough Council.

The Liberal Democrats remain firmly in control with 35 councillors, alongside three members of the Independent Group and one Conservative.

Cllr Paine will now represent Hedge End South on the borough council, taking on local casework and committee duties for the ward for the remainder of the term.

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