East Hampshire District Council leader Ferris Cowper, has shot down reports this week he intended to step down as Grayshott councillor in the 2019 local government elections – although he is handing over the reins as head of EHDC’s Tory group, in May.

“What I actually said, possibly confusingly, is I will remain a councillor until the next election. But in order for me to continue as a councillor beyond the 2019, the Conservative Party needs to readopt me as a candidate and the village of Grayshott has to vote me back in,” he said. “I have no plans to retire as a councillor, but I can’t presume those things by saying I will continue on past 2019.”