Tories 'very disappointed' as Greens sweep East Suffolk

In total, the Tories lost 24 seats as their number declined from 39 to just 15 seats, leaving the council with no overall majority.

Meanwhile the Greens moved on to 16 seats, while there were also gains for Labour, who moved on to 12 seats, an increase of five, while the Liberal Democrats also saw a rise of eight seats to leave them with 11.

Southwold councillor David Beavan, who represents the Liberal Democrats, said meetings would be held between the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Labour next week to discuss forming a coalition to run the council.

He said: “I think it is an absolutely amazing day. It is the best count I have ever been to.”

He believed voters had rejected the Tories over issues such as Sizewell C and plans to route electricity cables from offshore wind farms through the Suffolk and Essex countryside instead of the Thames Estuary.

The Greens celebrate victory in Aldeburgh and Leiston (Image: Mick Howes)

A number of high profile Conservative candidates lost their seats, including former district council leader Ray Herring, who led for 20 years, but lost his Rendlesham and Orford seat to the Greens’ Tim Wilson.

Another Tory seat lost was the Kelsale and Yoxford ward that used to be held by Stephen Burroughes, but went to the Liberal Democrats Jules Ewart, who defeated Tory challenger Alexander Nicoll.

Following her win, Jules said: "I am thrilled and without a doubt, it has been a team effort through the generosity of the team and the party who have been by my side."

Reflecting on a crushing defeat, East Suffolk Council’s deputy leader Craig Rivett, who represents the Conservatives, said: “It has certainly been very disappointing. We have lost some hard working and very dedicated councillors to what has clearly been dissatisfaction with the national picture.”

However, he said the former Conservative administration had done a ‘great deal’ for East Suffolk, including helping to set up the council following the merger between Suffolk Coastal and Waveney District Councils.

The full list of results for East Suffolk Council are as follows (E stands for elected):

Aldeburgh and Leiston ward (3 councillors): Tom Daly (G-2086) (E), Katie Graham (G-1961) (E), Sarah Whitelock (G-1896) (E), Jocelyn Bond (C-1275), Andrew Reid (C-1089), Tony Cooper (C-1233), Ray Beach (L-561), David Gugeon (L-599).

Beccles and Worlingham (3 councillors): Sarah Plummer (G-2673) (E), Sheryl Rumble (G-2471) (E), Caroline Topping (G-2792) (E), Bernard Reader (C-806), May Reader (C-784), Trish Mortimer (C-851), Sam Hunt (L-583), Tarek Lahin (L-531), Tony Burgess (L-487).

Bungay and Wainford (2 councillors): Toby Hammond (G-1682) (E), Anthony Speca (G-1569) (E), Mark Bee (C-776), Judy Cloke (C-812), Tim Mobbs (L-294), Chris Sadler (L-229), Natalie Carlile (I-169).

Carlford and Fynn Valley (2 councillors): Dan Clery (G-1388) (E), Colin Hedgley (C-1272) (E), Nigel Hiley (G-1263), Ben Coupe (C-1257).

Lowestoft Carlton and Whitton (2 councillors): Jamie Starling (C-904) (E), Jenny Ceresa (C-879) (E), Sonia Barker (L-769), Charlotte Barker (L-758), Anna Hammond (G-191), Daniel Keates (G-143), John Mercer (LD-135), Dave O'Neill (LD-90).

Carlton Colville (2 councillors): Craig Rivett (C-787) (E), Myles Scrancher (C-696) (E), Adam Robertson (LD-658), Chris Thomas (LD-604), Christian Newsome (L-473), Arthur Smith (L-438)

Deben (1 councillor): James Mallinder (C-773) (E), Richard Noble (G-729).

East Felixstowe (3 councillors): Seamus Bennett (LD-2288) (E), Jan Candy (LD-1838) (E), Mark Jepson (C-1722) (E), Anthony Malster (C-1521), Steve Wiles (C-1676), David Rowe (L-1115), David Underwood (LD-1567), Hagar Babbington (Comm-154).

Framlingham (2 councillors): Vince Langdon-Morris (G-1625) (E), Owen Grey (LD-1283) (E), Maurice Cook (C-1046), Tom Faulkner (C-1051) 

Lowestoft Gunton and St Margaret's (2 councillors): George King (L-1020) (E), Graham Parker (L-960) (E), Linda Coulam (C-933), Ryan Harvey (C-801), Fiona Shreeve (LD-121), John Shreeve (LD-94), Kerri Edmondson (G-198).

Halesworth and Blything (2 councillors): Beth Keys-Holloway (G-1756) (E), Geoffrey Wakeling (G-1702) (E), Alison Cackett (C-760), Graham Catchpole (C-629), John Murray (L-254).

Lowestoft Harbour and Normanston (3 councillors): Keith Patience (L-1109) (E), Janet Craig (L-1117) (E), Tess Gandy (L-1088) (E), David Coulam (C-560), Deanna Law (C-516), Vince Rule, (C-473), Alice Eastaugh (G-309), Phillip Love (G-282), Debbie Ray (G-272).

Kelsale and Yoxford (1 councillor): Jules Ewart (LD-752) (E), Alexander Nicoll (C-356), John Clark (L-274).

Kesgrave (3 councillors): Stuart Lawson (C-1367) (E), Debbie McCallum (C-1958) (E), Geoff Lynch (C-1261) (E), Brad Clements (LD-1207), Sally Neal (LD-862), Lesley Bensley (L-972), Marcin Burcon (G-905).

Kessingland (1 councillor): Alan Green (L-398) (E), Letitia Smith (C-359), Jon Coxon (G-318).

Lowestoft Kirkley and Pakefield (3 councillors): Peter Byatt (L-1421) (E), Louise Gooch (L-1422) (E), Malcolm Pitchers (L-1239) (E), June Ford (C-848), David Bromley (C-866), Jean Bowry (C-788), Alan Barnes (G-406), Christopher Hart (G-323)

Lothingland (1 councillor): Paul Ashdown (C), Rosemary Brambley (G), Susan Groome (LD), Thomas Leverett (L).

Martlesham and Purdis Farm (2 councillors): Mark Packard (LD-1094) (E), Edward Thompson (LD-1229) (E), Chris Blundell (C-1076), Guy Jenkinson (C-930)

Melton (1 candidate): Rachel Smith-Lyte (G-890) (E), Alan Porter (C-641), Katherine Bicknell (L-178)

Orwell (2 councillors): Mike Ninnmey (LD-1736) (E), Lee Reeves (LD-1492) (E), Mick Richardson (C-1004), Patti Mulcahy (C-858)

Oulton Broad (3 councillors): Edward Back (C-1403) (E), Andree Gee (C-1304) (E), Keith Robinson (C-1329) (E), Paul Page (L-886),  Jen Jones (L-985), Bob Groome (L-989), Simon McDowall (LD-163), Timothy Sutton-Day (LD-137), Andrew Turner (LD-142), Jesse Timberlake (G-286), Susan Steward (G-295), Andrew Eastaugh (G-321).

Rendlesham and Orford (1 councillor): Tim Wilson (G-842) (E), Ray Herring (C-550), Martin Foxton (HP-56).

Rushmere St Andrew (1 councillor): Deborah Dean (C-582) (E), Stewart Belfield (G-256) Alistair Dick (L-405).

Saxmundham (1 councillor): John Fisher (I-396) (E), Phillip Dunnett (C-222), James Sandbach (LD-320), Mark Turner (L-222).

Southwold (1 councillor): David Beavan (LD-1122) (E), Tony Goldson (C-265), Stephen Stansfield (L-87), Kevin Cross (I-76).

West Felixstowe (3 councillors): Mike Deacon (L-1204) (E), Amanda Folley (L-965) (E), Rosie Smithson (L-916) (E), Steve Bain (C-815), Stuart Bird (C-848), Tracey Green (C-829), Angus Thody (G-364), Richard Keyworth (G-456), Mark Jones (Comm-103).

Wickham Market (1 councillor): Sally Noble (G-930) (E), Carol Poulter (C-555)

Woodbridge (2 councillors): Stephen Molyneux (G-1404) (E), Kay Yule (LD-1220) (E), Stephen Attwell (C-776), Geoff Holdcroft (C-845), Paul Richards (L-864)

Wrentham, Wangford, and Westleton (1 councillor): Paul Ashton (LD-893) (E), Norman Brooks (C-448), Jane Murray (L-161).