Labour takes Adur as election counts continue
Labour has taken Adur District Council from the Conservatives and strengthened its hold in Worthing as counting continues in this year's local elections.
A total of 56 seats across four authorities in East and West Sussex - Hastings, Crawley, Adur and Worthing - were up for re-election.
Counting is taking place throughout Friday, with further results expected later.
Election results for the county's police and crime commissioner are expected to be announced on Sunday.
Labour gained Adur from the Tories after taking eight seats. It is the first time the party has controlled the council, which now has 17 Labour, eight Conservative, two Green and two independent members.
Two years ago, Labour took Worthing from a minority Conservative administration, in one of the biggest shocks of the 2022 polls.
This year's Worthing count saw Labour gain a further two seats, strengthening its hold.
At the count at Crawley's K2 leisure centre, BBC reporter Peter Whittlesea said: "In Crawley, results have historically been tight. So the atmosphere at the count has the air of a local football derby, with candidates and supporters desperate for their team to win.
"But the overnight loses nationally for the Tories have been substantial, so Crawley Conservatives know they have a mountain to climb to hang on to the seven seats they hold in this council which are up for election this time round."
Twelve seats were being contested in Crawley, where results are expected later.
Hastings saw political upheaval recently, when eight Labour members split to form the Hastings Independents and took control of the council in alliance with four Green Party members.
The authority is a key target for the Greens, who hope for further progress.
BBC reporter Claudia Sermbezis, at the count, said: “It’s an interesting picture to watch. Will Labour do well despite the resignations, or will the Independents capture the public’s imagination?
“And what of the Green Party? They currently lead the council in coalition with the former Labour councillors who quit but will they have a strong performance?”
Half of the authority’s 32 seats were up for re-election.
With a general election expected later in 2024, the local vote is being seen as a crucial test for the government.
There are elections in 107 local authorities across England, as well as 11 mayoral races.
Early results on Friday showed losses for the Conservatives, while Labour made gains.
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