The 2002 Hart Council election took place on 2 May 2002 to elect members of Hart District Council in Hampshire, England. The whole council was up for election with boundary changes since the last election in 2000.^[1] The Conservative Party gained overall control of the council from no overall control.^[2]

Quick Facts All 35 seats to Hart District Council 18 seats needed for a majority, First party ...

2002 Hart District Council election

← 2000 2 May 2002 2003 →
All 35 seats to Hart District Council 18 seats needed for a majority
First party Second party Third party   Party Conservative Liberal Democrats Independent Seats before 17 12 5 Seats after 22 10 3 Popular vote 14,470 29.600 13,228 Percentage 62.9 28.6 8.6
Results by Ward
Council control before election Conservative Council control after election Conservative

Close

The election saw 10 sitting councillors decide not to seek re-election including 3 former chairmen of the council.^[3] 6 Conservatives were unopposed in the election in the wards of Crondall, Eversley, Long Sutton and Odiham, while several Independents stood for the council.^[3] The independents included Archie Gillespie, a former Liberal Democrat standing as an independent after being deselected, former councillor Stephen Gorys and an "anti roadblock campaigner" Denis Gotel.^[3]

During the campaign a Conservative candidate in Hartley Wintney, Andrew Davies, withdrew meaning only one Conservative would be standing in the ward against Independent Susan Band and 2 Liberal Democrats.^[4]

The results saw the Conservatives gain a majority on the council after winning 22 seats on the council.^[5] The Liberal Democrats were reduced to only 10 seats concentrated in their strongholds of Yateley and Hawley.^[5] Meanwhile, 3 independents were successful in being elected, 2 in Fleet and 1 in Hartley Wintney.^[5] Overall turnout in the election was 29.89%.^[6]