The Liberal Democrats have gained two more seats from the Conservatives after winning Hindhead’s borough and town by-elections on Thursday.

By-elections were called to elect new representatives in Hindhead’s Haslemere Town Council and Waverley Borough Council wards following the death of long-serving Conservative councillor Peter Isherwood in April.

And as the results were declared just after midnight at Borough Hall in Godalming, it was the Lib Dems camp who were cheering as their candidates edged out their Tory counterparts.

The results in full:

Hindhead ward Waverley Borough Council by election

  • Ged Hall, Con: 446 votes
  • Julian Spence, Lib Dem: 537 votes (elected)
  • Ballot papers rejected: 8
  • Turnout: 30 per cent

Hindhead ward Haslemere Town Council by-election

  • Malcolm Carter, Con: 440 votes
  • Conrad Waters, Lib Dem: 526 votes (elected)
  • Ballot papers rejected: 11
  • Turnout: 29 per cent

The result means the Lib Dems have now taken over from coalition partner the Farnham Residents as the party with the second most seats after the Conservatives at Waverley Borough Council. Waverley’s political make-up is now as follows:

  • Conservative: 20 seats
  • Lib Dem: 16
  • Farnham Residents: 15
  • Green Party: 2
  • Labour: 2
  • Independent: 2

It also means the Lib Dems now outnumber the Conservatives at Haslemere Town Council, the political make-up of which is now as follows:

  • Lib Dem: 8 seats
  • Conservative: 6
  • Green Party: 2
  • Independent: 2

It comes before the whole of Waverley will go to the polls to elect new parish, town and borough representatives at the May 2023 local elections.

The Herald attended Thursday’s count and there will be comprehensive coverage and analysis of the by-elections in next week’s Haslemere Herald.

See how election night unfolded below...