OFFICIAL RESULTS: Havant Names Every 2026 Ward Winner as Reform Becomes Largest Group

Havant Borough Council has now published the official ward-by-ward results from the 2026 borough elections — and the numbers confirm a dramatic new council mix without giving any party outright control.

The council says the new political composition is Reform UK 10, Labour 7, Green 6, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 5 and Independent 3. In plain English: Reform is now the largest group, but Havant remains a no-overall-control council.

## THE 2026 WARD WINNERS

The official results page confirms the following candidates were duly elected on Thursday 7 May:

- Bedhampton: Jason Beal, Reform UK - Cowplain: Kevin Parsons, Reform UK - Emsworth: Charles John Farrow Robert, Green Party - Hart Plain: Jason Gillen, Reform UK - Havant St Faith’s: Daniel James Berwick, Labour Party - Hayling East: Michael Rennie, Reform UK - Hayling West: Jonathan David Hulls, Green Party - Leigh Park Central & West Leigh: Sharon Collings, Reform UK - Leigh Park Hermitage: Victoria Rhodes, Reform UK - Purbrook: Caren Diamond, Reform UK - Stakes: Terry Norton, Reform UK - Waterloo: Gwen Marie Robinson, Reform UK

That list shows how broad the change was. Reform took seats across Bedhampton, Cowplain, Hart Plain, Hayling East, Leigh Park, Purbrook, Stakes and Waterloo. The Greens held or gained visible strength in Emsworth and Hayling West, while Labour kept Havant St Faith’s.

## WHY THIS MATTERS

This is not just Westminster-style theatre imported into local government. Havant Borough Council handles planning, local environmental services, licensing, neighbourhood work and many of the decisions residents notice when they walk through their own street.

With no party in overall control, those decisions may depend on negotiation, alliances and attendance in the council chamber. A single close vote could matter.

## TURNOUT TELLS ITS OWN STORY

Turnout varied sharply across the borough, from 26.02% in Leigh Park Hermitage to 53.54% in Emsworth. Hayling West passed 50%, Cowplain reached 45.61%, Waterloo recorded 44.56%, and Purbrook reached 43.79%.

That gap matters. Some communities turned out in much larger numbers than others, and councillors will need to remember that quieter wards still need attention.

## THE HARD PART STARTS NOW

The political map has changed, but the local problems are familiar: town-centre regeneration, planning pressure, coastal and open-space protection, housing, public confidence, and the looming reorganisation of councils across Hampshire.

Residents will judge the new chamber less by party arithmetic and more by whether casework gets answered, services feel reliable and local places see practical improvements.

The election is over. The accountability starts now.

Sources: Havant Borough Council election results page; Havant Borough Council election results news release, published 8 May 2026.