22/05/2026
After a campaign run to supposedly “Stop Reform in Hampshire”, Conservatives have immediately stitched up Hampshire voters by forming a pact with Reform to take control of the county council where they only have 1 more Cllr than the Liberal Democrats.
This is a direct betrayal by the Conservatives and shows the lengths they will go to, to cling on to power. Here in East Hampshire, a Reform run council is the last thing people wanted. Many will be bitterly disappointed and wary of future promises by this administration and the Conservatives in particular.
The 26 strong Liberal Democrat Hampshire County Council group (including East Hampshire’s county councillors David Podger & Cllr Emily Young) have already seen Conservatives accede to Reform’s demand on allocating funds to a legal challenge to Local Government Reorganisation here. Money that could have been spent on desperately needed road repairs – and which the Conservatives promised they would prioritise in their campaign pledges.
26 Liberal Democrats were democratically elected to represent their residents. We will continue to hold the Tories, Reform, and the Greens (who sat on their hands and let this pact go through) to account. We will continue to fight for our communities and to respect voters’ wishes. We look forward with trepidation to see how this ‘special relationship’ develops.
Thank you for your support. We look forward to continuing our work on behalf of all of the people of East Hampshire. Please sign up for updates at: www.ehlibdems.org.uk/email-sign-up
~East Hampshire Liberal Democrats
