THE Conservatives got off to a flying start with a clean sweep in the Horsell ward.

Councillor Kemp, who was straight on the phone to celebrate with his partner, hailed the teamwork on show in the landslide result.

He told the News & Mail: “People may think that this is a result of six weeks’ campaigning, but this win has been two, three, four years in the making because myself, Anne and Beryl all work as a team.

“It’s great that Horsell is now back together (previously Horsell West and Horsell East), and the turnout (the highest in the election) shows that it is a ward that cares.

“Residents don’t vote for parties in Horsell; they vote for people they see out in the community. For them to recognise our efforts is hugely gratifying.”

His views on camaraderie were echoed by Cllr Hunwicks, who added: “Residents of Horsell are very mindful of what their councillors are putting in, and it is well known in the ward that Colin, Anne and myself always respond to a query within 24 hours.

“Another strength of our team is that we never assume anything.

“When it was announced that the Horsell West and Horsell East wards were due to merge, I spent a great deal of time visiting 99% of the properties in the new boundaries to introduce myself.

“Not posting leaflets but knocking on doors and saying ‘Here I am’ - people are very mindful of that type of input and it paid in spades.”

Cllr Murray, who has sat in the chambers for 13 years, was also left celebrating ahead of her mayor-making later this month.

She said: “This result is the icing on the cake with my mayor making coming up. I’ve been a councillor for 13 years now and I’m very much looking forward to representing a bigger area after the boundary changes.

“Stepping in as Deputy Mayor in recent months has whetted the appetite - I was lucky enough to cover the royal visit at The Park School and now I’m excited about the challenges the future holds."

HORSELL RESULTS:BRIGHT Colin (Labour): 285 DYKES Lucy (Green Party): 310 EVANS Elizabeth (Labour): 348 HERBERT Stephen (UKIP): 366 HUNWICKS Beryl (Conservative): 1,744 JOHNSON Rosemary (Liberal Democrat): 758 KEMP Colin (Conservative): 1,651 KREMER Tony (Liberal Democrat): 871 SMITH Anne (Conservative): 1,569 WATTS Samuel (Liberal Democrat): 519 WILLIS Thomas (Labour): 244

*(Two rejected ballots)