THE Conservative Party will have a majority in Monmouthshire for the next council.

The party eventually claimed 25 of 43 possible county council seats, having taken a number of seats from independent and Welsh Labour candidates.

Seven hours after the polls closed at 10pm, the Conservatives finished with 25 seats, up from 19 previously.

10 seats will belong to Welsh Labour, down one from 11, while independents suffered most, losing five seats to give them a total of five councillors. The Liberal Democrats will once again have three seats in the council.

Conservative leader Councillor Peter Fox was thrilled with the party’s success. He said: “I’m really pleased with the result with the Conservative group gaining six seats overall.“There will be a strong majority on the council now and going forward we can focus on putting in a plan for all people in Monmouthshire which leaves nobody behind.”He also commended the efforts of all who contested the elections:“I’d like to pay tribute to all the candidates that didn’t win or who are not returning and thank them for their contributions.Mr Fox said it was the work put in by the party and possible the national political climate which resulted in their success.“Most of the seats gained were from independents. I think it came down to hard work and strong campaigning. It is possible that what is happening in national politics had an effect; clearly people have a lot of interest in it. But really it is the sheer hard work and successful campaigning by committed candidates.”

3:34am: A CONSERVATIVE Monmouthshire County Council looks likely as the party secured its 19th seat - just four away from securing an overall majority.

Of the results confirmed so far, 19 seats belong to the Welsh Conservative Party, with Welsh Labour having secured nine, Liberal Democrats securing three and three independent candidates. Nine seats are still to be announced

Tonight Monmouthshire residents are choosing who represents them at a local level.

There are 43 county council seats that cover 42 county areas available for election. At community and town council level there are 356 seats which cover 119 wards. All wards are incorporated into one of 33 community and town councils.

The polls were open from 7am to 10pm, and the first official results came at just after 11.30pm.

Caerwent

Lisset Maria Burrett (Welsh Labour) - 120

Les Keen (Liberal Democrats) - 87

Phil Murphy (Welsh Conservative Party) - 412

Gordon Norrie (UKIP) - 56

Phil Murphy thanked everyone for their support during this campaign, and thanked officials for organising a "very smooth election."

Chepstow

St Christopher’s

Dimitri Batrouni (Welsh Labour) - 320

Joshua Paul Chohan (Welsh Conservative Party) - 254

Tony Redhead (Liberal Democrats) - 40

Dimitri Batrouni thanked his friends and family who helped him in his campaign. He also thanked Conservative candidate Joshua Chohan and congratulated him on a good campaign.

He added that it was a “privilege and honour” to serve his ward.

St Mary’s

Jeremy Becker (Liberal Democrats) - 244

Marc Le Peltier (Welsh Conservative Party) - 214

Dale Rooke (Welsh Labour) - 176

Jeremy Becker thanked his fellow Lib Dem candidates and agent Phil Hobson who he said was “absolutely critical” in his campaign.

He added that he has worn holes in his shoes from canvassing and that he is looking forward to “putting some proper effort in” on the council.

Thornwell

Michael Lewis (Welsh Conservative Party) - 227

Armand Watts (Welsh Labour) - 405

Armand Watts said he was “tired, exhausted but relieved” after being re-elected for the fourth time, and dedicated the win to mother who has fallen ill.

Larkfield

David Adams (Welsh Labour) - 156

Phil Hobson (Liberal Democrats) - 270

Paul Pavia (Welsh Conservative) - 340

“Can I say thank you to returning officer for ensuring democratic processes. Thank you to all the Monmouthshire Conservative Association for all their hard work not in Chepstow but across the association. I am absolutely delighted to be elected and I hope to build on last three years of work on the town council.”

St. Kingsmark

David Dovey (Welsh Conservative) - 456

Lia Hind (Independent) - 407

Henry Hodges (Liberal Democrats) - 62

Gerry Rowe - (Welsh Labour) - 94

David Dovey "I firstly would like to thank all those who voted for me in St. Kingsmark, it is a great honour to be re-elected. I’m sure the next five years will be challenging but I’m sure we have the right sort of team in the conservative group to meet that challenge.”

Monmouth

Dixton with Osbaston

Anthea Dewhurst (Liberal Democrats) - 253

Jane Lucas (Independent) - 205

Vivien Mitchell (Welsh Labour) - 87

Richard Roden (Welsh Conservative Party) - 499

Richard Roden said: "I would like to thank the electorate who have given me the opportunity to represent them for the next five years.

Wyesham

Catherine Fookes (Welsh Labour) - 323

Laura Anne Jones (Welsh Conservative Party) - 347

Stuart James Wilson (Independent) - 155

Drybridge

Sian Damon (Plaid Cymru) - 53

Mat Feakins (Welsh Conservative Party) - 654

Sarah Louise Gillie (Liberal Democrats) - 92

Patrick John Harkness (Welsh Labour) - 237

Alan Michael Wintle (Independent) - 151

Mat Feakins thanked the residents of Drybridge for "their support and trust."

Overmonnow

Terry Christopher (Independent) - 176

David Tudor Greaves (UKIP) - 30

Su McConnel (Welsh Labour) - 173

Jamie Treharne (Welsh Conservative Party) - 264

Gary Witcombe (Independent) - 29

Jamie Treharne thanked residents, the Monmouthshire Conservative office in Usk and his fellow candidates.

Caldicot

Caldicot Castle

Tim Fawcitt (Welsh Conservative Party Candidate) - 247

Jo Watkins (Liberal Democrats) - 271

Jeff Williams (Welsh Labour/Llafur Cymru) - 253

Jo Watkins said: “I hope to serve the people of Caldicot Castle to the best of my ability.”

Dewstow

David Ashwin (Plaid Cymru) - 123

Tony Easson (Welsh Labour) - 283

Anthony Griffiths (Welsh Conservative Party) - 90

Tony Easson said: “I thank the Labour family in Dewstow and I thank all the voters in Dewstow and I hope I can serve them the best I can.”

Green Lane

Alan Davies (Welsh Labour) - 175

John Ian Marshall (Independent) - 115

Cris Watkins Liberal Democrats - 160

Alan Sykes Whiteley (Welsh Conservative Party) - 108

Alan Davies: “Thank you to all those from the campaign. I am looking forward to representing the people of Green Lane ward to the best of my ability for the next five years.”

Severn

Jimmy Harris (Independent) - 152

Jim Higginson (Welsh Labour) - 209

Ian Herbert Standing (Welsh Conservative Party) - 113

Jim Higginson said: "I would like to thank the staff of Monmouthshire County Council for making the county council and town council a success. They have worked very hard and checked, checked and checked again to make sure everything is correct.

West End

Dave Evans (Welsh Labour)- 226

Philip Sutton (Independent)- 139

Paul Watkins (Welsh Conservative Party) - 89

Dave Evans said: "I would like to thank the returning officers for all the work they have done leading up to and tonight. Can I thank my colleagues in Labour party, they have done a lot of footwork. I would like to thank my family they have stuck by me, if you persevere and put in hard work people do recognise it so I have to thank the residents as well.”Rogiet

Paul Cromwell (Independent) - 150

Ella Davies (Welsh Conservative Party) - 59

Simon (Welsh Labour) - 129

Linda Guppy (Liberal Democrats) - 182

Linda Guppy said: "Thank you to all my Lib Dem candidates, thanks to all the officers for running the show smoothly and perhaps we won't have to see the dawn!"

Portskewett

Peter Alan Fox (Welsh Conservative Party) - 491

Rachel Catherine Garrick (Welsh Labour) - 369

Peter Fox said it was "really pleasing" and thanked staff at Monmouthshire County Council, his wife for her support and to the Conservative branch in Monmouthshire. He added there is "a lot of work to do in Monmouthshire at a really important time."

Shirenewton

Hilary Margaret Beach (Welsh Labour) - 110

Louise Brown (Welsh Conservative Party) - 509

Vicky Hepburn-John (Liberal Democrats) - 56

Philip Nicholas Moles (Independent) - 279

Louise Brown thanked the residents of Shirenewton for voting for her. "I look forward to serving them in the next five years," she added.

Devauden

Joe Davis (Welsh Labour) - 175

Bob Greenland (Welsh Conservative Party) - 399

Bob Greenland said: "I would like to give thanks to people of Devauden, I hope I will be able to serve you over the next five years."

Mr Greenland also paid tribute to his opponent Joe Davis. "I also want to thank my opponent," he added. "He is the youngest candidate in election, he has done extremely well both in the result and that he is prepared to stand for office at such a young age."

Magor with Undy

Mill

Frances Taylor (Independent) - 651

Paul Majewski (Welsh Conservative Party Candidate) - 388

Alun Clive Lloyd (Welsh Labour/Llafur Cymru) - 112

Frances Taylor said: “I think that this particular experience really demonstrates there is no equality of arms between an independent and candidate with a political party. I would like to thank with my family and the people who have supported me and I am looking forward to representing the people of Magor and Undy.”

The Elms

Lisa Dymock (Welsh Conservative Party) - 626

Steve Griffiths (Welsh Labour) - 302

Lisa Dymock said: "Firstly I’d like to thank the party and the support they have given me, secondly I would like to thank my family for putting up with me the last six months and finally I would thank the residents for voting for me.”

Usk

Isobel Mary Brown (Independent) - 260

Virginia Hoselitz (Welsh Labour) - 110

Brian Strong (Welsh Conservative Party) - 596

Brian Strong said: "It has been a really good contest with Isobel, it was a clean fight thank you Isobel and I look forward to representing the people of Usk for the next five years."

Llanbadoc

Jan Butler (Welsh Conservative Party) - 217

Jane Smith (Welsh Labour) - 32

Val Smith (Independent) - 305

Val Smith: "I’m delighted to be re-elected to represent Llanbadoc ward. I'm very grateful for the people who decided to trust me again, I've been here a long time and looking forward to representing the ward again.”

Raglan

Penny Jones (Welsh Conservative Party) - 403

Pennie Walker (Independent) - 154

Stuart Willcock (Welsh Labour) - 65

Alison Willott (Liberal Democrats) - 358

Penny Jones: “That was an interesting campaign it was not the easiest but successful in the end thank you to everyone who helped and most of all to the residents of Raglan who have supported me.”

Trellech United

Debby Blakebrough (Independent) - 636

Philip Bowyer (Welsh Labour) - 61

Christopher Edwards (Welsh Conservative Party) - 577

Debby Blakebrough: “Being re-elected is particularly special because it is an honour and it is the residents saying you did a good job. I love Trellech United, there is a real sense of community spirit in Trellech United and it makes my job a lot easier.”

Llantilio Crossenny

Ian Chandler (Green Party) - 69

Ruth Edwards (Welsh Conservative Party) - 334

Ann Eggleton (Welsh Labour) - 81

David Evans (Independent) - 275

Ruth Edwards: “I thank all the staff here tonight and those who have sat at my five polling stations, I thank all my family and members and constituents in a rural ward, they have helped me enormously and I hope to serve them well.”