THE new Whitehill & Bordon Community Party was given its first official vote of confidence this week, although it fell short of an absolute victory.

Following a by-election to fill two vacant seats on Whitehill Town Council, Whitehill & Bordon Community Party leader Andy Tree, a former Liberal Democrat town council leader, and Conservative Phillip Davies polled most votes in Deadwater and Hogmoor wards respectively.

Mr Tree said he was “quite shocked” with his “decisive” win, which saw him secure 198 votes - a clear stride ahead of Liberal Democrat candidate Paul Wigman, who came in second place with 85 votes.

Despite previously serving on the town council, Mr Tree, at the time, had been co-opted. Monday was the first time he has ever won a council election.

And the result seems to validate the Whitehill & Bordon Community Party, which was launched in June.

But the group’s popularity did not quite provide the steam to take the vacant Hogmoor seat, with Conservative Phillip Davies bringing home 142 votes ahead of Liberal Democrat Tony Gray’s 98 votes.

The turnout in both wards was around 17 per cent.

The results of Monday’s election were: Whitehill Deadwater Ward: Andy Tree, Whitehill & Bordon Community Party, 198 votes (elected); Paul Wigman, Liberal Democrat, 85; Charles Greenway, Conservative, 56; Ian Greenep, Independent, seven; turnout, 17.45 per cent. Whitehill Hogmoor Ward: Phillip Davies, Conservative, 142 votes (elected); Tony Gray, Liberal Democrat, 98; Jason Toovey, Whitehill & Bordon Community Party, 73; turnout, 17.59 per cent.

Describing the result as “a landslide”, Mr Tree said this is “only the beginning”.

“I am delighted to be elected as a town councillor for the Deadwater ward and it is humbling to be given such a strong personal mandate,” he said. “I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who supported me and I am delighted to be given the opportunity to make a positive difference for our community. I have tried hard to speak to as many people as possible in the ward (Deadwater) by knocking on so many doors.

“I will continue to try hard to get more people engaged with local politics.

“I said I would bring a political earthquake to Whitehill and Bordon and this is only the beginning.

“We will continue to prove ourselves worthy of continued support as we look towards the local elections in May 2019.

“When on the campaign trail I met many residents who had very different views on national polices, from right-wing Conservatives to staunch Corbynite Labour supporters. These residents would have little in common in terms of their national political views, but locally we struck a chord with them regarding local issues, which is what a local election should be all about.

“Voters were worried about infrastructure and having a proper town centre and were concerned about recent issues such as there being no banks left in the town. It is a fantastic feeling to know that we have united residents on local issues and have a strong mandate to take our agenda into Whitehill Town Council.”

Mr Davies adds one more Conservative voice to the town council’s majority. He thanked residents who had taken the time to engage with local democracy, irrespective of where they put their cross.

“I, personally, met hundreds of my fellow Hogmoor residents over the past month and sought feedback from many more with the help of colleagues and friends,” he said. “It was very apparent, from talking to my neighbours, that many are not aware of the fantastic local regeneration currently under way and what this will bring to our community. The investment of more than £1billion will make us the largest town in East Hampshire with some of the best facilities.

“As someone who is both new to politics and new to being a councillor, I will be working hard alongside our existing and more experienced Whitehill town councillors, including our council leader Mark Davison, to ensure that I am fully aware of, and represent, Hogmoor residents’ views and concerns.”

He added that residents can contact him by email at phillipdavieshogmoor@

btinternet.com.

Whitehill Town Council is now made up of 11 Conservative and four Whitehill & Bordon Community Party members (three of whom defected from the Liberal Democrats).