The Conservatives achieved a comfortable win to secure the vacant seat on Totton and Eling Town Council in the by-election that took place on Thursday 29th March. Winning candidate Len Harris, a former senior Town and District Councillor, took the town's South ward with a majority of nearly 100 over the runner up, Green Party candidate.

The result:

- Len Harris (Conservative) 286
- Beverley Golden (Green) 195
- Kate Lord (Liberal Democrat) 168
- Alan Goodfellow (Labour) 75

Majority 91; Turnout 15.3%

The outcome strengthens the Conservatives' dominant position on the Town Council where they hold 18 out of 20 seats with 1 Green and 1 Liberal Democrat making up the balance.

A former active Liberal Democrat Party member, Mr Harris had tendered his resignation from that Party and joined the Conservatives following his former Party's policy u-turn on tuition fees and unhappiness at the Lib Dems' pro-EU stance.

Speaking later, Mr Harris said "I am truly grateful to everyone who supported me on the day and intend to work hard to represent all the residents in the ward, whatever their politics, to help secure the very best for our town. I also believe this is a vote of confidence in the excellent work of Totton and Eling Town Council."

New forest East Conservative Association Chairman, Derek Tipp, added: "This gives us further encouragement ahead of next year's County Council elections where we will be doing everything we can to repeat our success at Town and District level."