Local elections 2024: Fareham MP Suella Braverman tight-lipped on Conservative outcome

The Conservatives will be hoping to retain control of the council where they have been at the helm since a spell of no overall control between 1994 and 1999.

Arriving at the count at Fareham Leisure Centre, the town’s Conservative MP said the borough has been a Tory stronghold for decades but refused to predict the result.

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With national predictions thinking the Tories could lose half the seats they’re defending across England, she said: “I’ve been campaigning for many months now with local Conservatives in Fareham and I have absolute confidence in the local team here.

“They’ve run the council here for many decades, they’ve kept council tax low – we’ve got one of the lowest council taxes in the country and there’s been excellent delivery of services, whether that’s new houses, Welborne and new infrastructure, or whether that’s delivery the basic services like the bins and street lights.

“There’s a huge amount of which we can be proud here in Fareham thanks to the Conservatives’ successful running of it for the last 20-odd years.”

Asked for her prediction, the former home secretary said: “It’s too early to call, I wish I had a crystal ball (which) I don’t. I’ve learnt after standing in many elections over the years it’s a very brave person who tries to predict the results. We’ll wait until the count is confirmed and the final result is announced.”