Local Election 2025: Tense battle for Wiltshire Council seats

Candidates, meanwhile, can be forgiven for sweating for another reason. The battle for Wiltshire Council was a tense one.

The first seat to be declared was Bowerhill, where Conservative Nick Holder was handed a third term, although Reform UK pushed the Lib Dems into third place.

“It’s great, it been a long campaign, it’s been a tiring campaign, it’s been a well-fought campaign by all parties. I’m really gratified and please the residents of Bowerhill have entrusted me to be their councillor for the next four years," said Cllr Holder.

“It’s been a great honour to do that for the last six years, and I look forward to getting investment into Bowerhill and making sure all the residents irrespective of how they voted feel that they are well represented by Wiltshire council.”

But the second seat to be declared provided the first shock of the day, as Chris Vaughan of Reform UK unseated Conservative incumbent Daniel Cave - winning by just 15 votes in Trowbridge Park.

“It feels very good, really good," said Cllr Vaughan. "It’s been very tiring the last sort of week I’ve been really pushing it; 13, sometimes 14, hours a day on my feet the last couple of days, so the old legs are certainly sore. It’s elating, but also you feel tired.

“But for me it’s a good result. The hard work does start now, there’s lots to do and think about.

“There’s a lot for me to learn, it’s a new experience for me. I think maybe the first few months might be a bit difficult learning, but hopefully once I get into my stride, hopefully I can make a difference.”

Ernie Clark, the long-serving independent councillor from Hilperton, kept his seat with nearly 1,000 votes - leaving rivals in his wake. The Tories kept Ethandune, and Conservative Tamara Reay held her Devizes Rural West seat. 

Then the Lib Dems stole Trowbridge Adcroft from the Conservatives, who were pushed into third place behind Reform.

Winner Eunja Palmen said: “I’m feeling so good, very proud. I feel like this is my calling, and I’m looking forward to representing everyone.”

Eunja is married to Trowbridge Central’s Stewart Palmen, who also retained his seat.

Former Conservative group leader Philip Whitehead held Urchfont, then Sam Blackwall won over 1,000 votes to romp home for the Lib Dems in Bradford on Avon North, and fellow Lib Dem George Simmonds also scooped up 1,000-plus votes to retain the seat vacated by Sarah Gibson, who became an MP at the last general election.

Jo Trigg held on to Trowbridge Lambrook for the Lib Dems, while the yellows won Devizes East and Devizes North from the Tories. 

Ben Reed, the Liberal Democrat who flipped the Devizes North division from incumbent Ian Wallis, paid tribute to his opponent as he celebrated his victory.

He said: “I’m feeling really positive, honoured to be representing people of Devizes North. They’ve had a really dedicated and hard-working councillor for four years, and I can’t wait to take the reins and get going.”

Then Reform took another seat, taking Southwick from the Conservatives, with 24 votes between them. 

Trowbridge Drynam, which had been won by Antonio Piazza by the Conservatives before he quit the party in February, was taken by the Lib Dems, who also snatched Melksham Forest from the Conservatives.

Lib Dem Mel Jacob retained her Trowbridge Paxcroft seat, and the party also picked up Melksham East from the Tories. The Jon Hubbard, an independent, retained his seat in an incredibly close fight, garnering 362 votes to the Conservatives' 339 and Reform's 331.

Cllr Jacob said: “I think as Wiltshire Council, what’s next is listening to residents. Listening to our local people about politics in a way that makes sense to them.

“Thanks to the Future High Streets Fund, the town centre has had a lot of money put into it, but I think we still need to go on and encourage activity.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how we’re spending our money. Balancing that with caring for the least advantaged in our communities. 

"Reform are telling us how unhappy people are with things. Will things change? Maybe. I think any politician now has got to think, ‘am I offering the right things? Are we listening and reflecting the priorities of people in our divisions?’

“I hope we will have more balance and more collaboration moving forward, and work for the benefit of our communities.”

The Lib Dems held Trowbridge Grove and Trowbridge Central - a third term for Stewart Palmen - while Laura Mayes - 16 years a councillor - held on to Bromham, Rowde and Rounway for the Conservatives. 

Dominic Muns held The Lavingtons for the Conservatives, Trevor Carbin retained Holt for the Lib Dems, and Phil Alford held Melksham Without for the Conservatives, while there was another incredibly close race in Devizes South, where Maria Hoult won 621 against the Lib Dems' 611.

Conservative Bill Parks held his Warminster North seat, before Lib Dem Andrew Griffin unseated senior Tory Jonathan Seed, a councillor since 2009. 

Warminster Broadway was held by the Conservatives, as was Wylye Valley, before Reform seized Westbury North from the Lib Dems and neighbouring Westbury West fell to Reform from the Independents. 

Then Independent Russell Hawker ousted Conservative incumbent Pip Ridout, who was knocked into third place by Reform's Freddie Merrett. The gap between the Indie and Reform candidates was just two votes. 

Gordon King held Westbury East for the Lib Dems, before the party took Winsley & Westwood from the Conservatives. And in the last seat to be declared, incumbent Andrew Davis held Warminster East for the Conservatives thanks in part, he said, to the lucky rosette he has worn since he first won an election 20 years ago.