Romsey Town councillor praises ‘hard-working’ candidates

Despite uncertainty created by the national political picture, Cllr Gidley said voters in Test Valley chose candidates "who they know and trust" in the Hampshire County Council elections on Friday, May 8.

The experienced councillor said the result reflected recognition of hard work at a local level rather than national party trends.

"I think what the electors have done in Test Valley is they've voted for people who they know and trust, local hard working councillors," she said. "I say that as a Lib Dem, but I also say that about some of my Conservative colleagues who have also been reelected."

Cllr Gidley acknowledged that the national rise of Reform UK and the Green Party had made the outcome less predictable than in previous years.

"You never take anything for granted in politics. And with the national picture with Reform and the Greens, it was always a little bit uncertain," she said.

However, she believed that local voters had looked beyond party politics to support councillors with proven track records in their communities.

She added that the results across Test Valley demonstrated that constituents valued representatives who were committed to working on their behalf.

"It's good to see that people recognize that hard work on behalf of local people and that is appreciated," she said.

With Hampshire County Council set to be abolished in two years as part of local government reorganisation, Cllr Gidley will be focusing on ensuring a smooth transition while continuing to serve her constituents.

Cllr Gidley secured 3,241 votes to retain the seat for the Liberal Democrats. She finished ahead of the Conservatives' Timothy Mayer on 1,638 votes, with Reform UK's Christina Pointer taking 1,322, the Green Party's Neil Judd on 548 and Labour's James Own on 138. The turnout was 51.6%.