Ashford council election results 2019
Published: 06:00, 03 May 2019
Updated: 18:30, 03 May 2019
Find out who has been voted in to Ashford Borough Council with our election graphic showing the results as they come in.
Due to its rapid population growth, Ashford is the only district in Kent where councillor numbers are increasing, rising from 43 to 47.
Of the 43 seats contested across the borough in the last local elections in 2015, 33 were won by the Conservatives.
But with politics as uncertain as it's ever been and ward boundaries having been redrawn, it is difficult to predict what will happen today.
For all the results and reaction from across Kent follow our live blog and follow live updates from the Ashford count below.
LIVE UPDATES
6.30pm
For an overview of today's results, click here
4.09pm
So, that's it, we're done: the Tories keep control of Ashford Borough Council but with a reduced majority.
The Ashford Independents enjoy a good gain, rising from three councillors to 11.
Labour's tally also increases - from three to seven - but the Lib Dems will have no representatives on the council at all.
The Green Party takes its first-ever win in the borough, while the only Independent candidate - Kate Walder - beats Tory Mike Bennett in the Rolvenden and Tenterden West ward.
Big names missing out include long-standing Tory cabinet member Graham Galpin, who agonisingly loses out by one vote in the Furley ward.
FINAL RESULTS:
- Conservative: 26
- Ashford Independent: 11
- Labour: 7
- Green: 2
- Independent: 1
- Ukip: 0
- Liberal Democrats: 0
4.08pm
3.54pm
And here's the final result...
3.53pm
3.45pm
The Willesborough result is in - and the ward turns green...
3.44pm
We're now just waiting for one last result - the Willesborougth ward. The Lib Dems haven't won a seat yet - can they do it here?
3.34pm
And here's the result which sees former Tory cabinet member Graham Galpin agonisingly miss out by just one vote...
3.33pm
Big news in the Furley ward...
3.26pm
Ashford Labour leader Brendan Chilton speaks about his victory...
3.25pm
3.10pm
After a slight lull, the results are coming in again...
2.47pm
We haven't had the result for the two seats in the Furley ward yet. This is why...
2.12pm
How it looks right now...
- Conservatives: 19
- Labour: 4
- Ashford Independent: 7
- Independent: 1
- Liberal Democrats: 0
- Ukip: 0
There are more than 90 counters for the borough election count
2.03pm
2pm
1.57pm
The mayor is victorious as the first dual ward results come in
1.52pm
Big news in Tenterden as Tory Mike Bennett loses his seat to the only Independent standing in the entire borough, Kate Walder
1.47pm
1.43pm
1.41pm
The Ashford Independents have taken the new Roman seat
1.28pm
A very comfortable win for Ashford Independent Winston Michael
1.18pm
1.21pm
1.17pm
A good day for the Ovendens...
1.11pm
1.10pm
1.08pm
Cllr Ovenden will be keeping a keen eye on another ward, too...
1.06pm
A big win for Noel Ovenden, who holds his seat for the Ashford Independents in Wye
12.56pm
12.54pm
12.50pm
New Labour councillor Diccon Spain reflects on his victory in the Bockhanger ward
12.44pm
Former Tory Tina Heyes has switched to the Ashford Independents and scored victory in Kingsnorth
12.42pm
12.40pm
Another victory for the Ashford Independents...
12.38pm
All change in the Bybrook ward...
12.35pm
Quick recap: of the nine wards we've had results for so far, the Conservatives have won six, with Labour taking two and Ashford Independents one
12.21pm
Don't forget the Tories already had a six-seat head-start in Ashford thanks to uncontested seats.
See the story here
12.18pm
12.15pm
Ashford Borough Council leader Gerry Clarkson (Con) has held his seat in Charing
12.10pm
12.07pm
12.04pm
12.02pm
Ashford Labour leader Brendan Chilton keeps his seat in Stanhope, defeating cabinet member Brad Bradford (Con) who had switched from the Weald South ward.
12pm
After winning a by-election following Phil Sims' shock resignation last year, Tory Nathan Iliffe has won in Kennington again.
He only claimed victory by 20 votes in October...
11.58am
11.51am
11.49am
With Labour candidate Diccon Spain taking the Bockhanger seat from Tory Simon Howard-Smith, could that set the tone for the rest of the day?
11.48am
11.45am
11.33am
11am
The count has started at the Stour Centre - could there be a big change in the make-up of Ashford Borough Council?
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Georgia Woolf