The political party with the majority of BCP Council's seats in Christchurch has said standing up for the borough remains its “number one priority”.

The Christchurch Independents reaffirmed their position as having the backing of voting residents in most of the ancient borough in last week’s BCP Council elections.

Eight of the 10 seats went the way of the group, securing all councillor positions in the wards for Burton and Grange; Commonsl; Highcliffe and Walkford; and Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe.

This mirrored the result in 2019, however, going into the recent polling day the party only had seven councillors after Nigel Brooks left the group within four months of being elected. He went on to join the Conservative Group before standing this month as an independent candidate.

The two Christchurch Town ward seats went to the Liberal Democrats, with one of these being a hold and the other a gain from the Conservatives.

Councillor Andy Martin, chairman of the Christchurch Independents,, said: “We are delighted to have retained our seven seats in Christchurch and to have regained the second seat in Highcliffe.

“We are also very humbled by the support from residents across the borough and the huge number of people who have placed their faith in us.

Bournemouth Echo: Andy Martin watches on closely during the BCP Council election count at the BICAndy Martin watches on closely during the BCP Council election count at the BIC (Image: Richard Crease)

“The Christchurch Independents group was set up five years ago to stand up for Christchurch following the takeover by Bournemouth, which the residents did not want and voted against.”

Councillor Andy Martin is joined in being an elected representative for Highcliffe and Walkford by his son David Martin, with both candidates securing more than 2,400 votes from residents in the ward which attracted the highest turnout across BCP Council.

“Standing up for our borough remains our number one priority.

"We will work to ensure proper investment in Christchurch across the five wards and a fair share of resources. There are many issues to tackle as everyone knows.

“The Conservative administration has been a disaster for Christchurch and the conurbation as a whole.

“We will work to restore honesty, integrity, decency, accountability and transparency to the politics of BCP Council and work tirelessly for every resident on every issue.”

Full list of Christchurch Independents councillors after election results

David Flagg – Burton and Grange

Simon McCormack – Burton and Grange

Margaret Phipps – Commons

Vanessa Ricketts – Commons

Andy Martin – Highcliffe and Walkford

David Martin – Highcliffe and Walkford

Lesley Dedman – Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe

Paul Hilliard – Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe