A decision on whether a minority government will be formed is yet to be made after a "dark day" saw Elmbridge Conservatives lose their eight-year hold on the council. 

The Tories narrowly won 22 seats, just ahead of the Residents Associations with 19 seats and the Liberal Democrats with seven seats.

Leader John O’Reilly was ousted from his seat at the count on May 7.

Negotiations are currently underway between parties to form a majority government, with discussions from Sunday night continuing on into this evening.

The controversial changes to the ward boundaries saw the number of councillors elected into this year’s government reduced from 60 to 48, with some wards being dissolved and shared across other areas, causing upset amongst residents.

The shock result also saw Labour, UKIP, the Greens and Independent councillors fail to gain any seats.

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New Conservative leader Councillor Tim Oliver and John O'Reilly

Tory party leader and Hersham councillor John O’Reilly lost his seat by just 29 votes, with Hersham Village Society gaining two seats in the formally all-Conservative ward.

Ruth Mitchell also lost her seat, with only Councillor Mary Sheldon managing to keep her spot.

Mr O’Reilly said: “I’m obviously sad in a way but our residents are our bosses, and it’s a great privilege to be their servant. I thank them for their support for 11 years, it’s been a great pleasure to serve Hersham.

“We knew that the Hersham ward would be very competitive between the groups. Ruth, Mary and I knew it was going to be close.

“The results in Elmbridge were consistently poor, not only in Elmbridge but in Woking, Tandridge and Reigate. There was clearly a swing against the Conservatives which is normal when you have a government doing controversial things.

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I don’t have any regrets about supporting the decision from 60 to 48 councillors. It just shows it was the right thing to do.

“It’s democracy. It’s brutal but it’s a wonderful system.”

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A decision is yet to be made on who will hold control of Elmbridge council

Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Weybridge councillor, Andrew Davis, will be involved in tonight’s discussions.

He said: “It’s a very interesting time. I think the parties will get together tonight, I suspect it might take a little time. It won’t be instant.”

Cllr Davis, who retained his seat with 15.52 per cent of the vote, added that a new leader for the Lib Dems would also be formally elected at the meeting tonight.

Councillor Stuart Selleck, leader of the Residents' Associations, said the result was at the "top end of our expectations".

"It's something I've never expected before as it's always been a Conservative administration.

"We would look to run the administration but it must be in the interests of Elmbridge."

Cllr Selleck said if the party formed a minority government with the Liberal Democrats, it would seek to introduce free parking to support local businesses.

A statement released by the Tories said: “The Conservatives remain the largest group on Elmbridge Borough Council despite a dark day for the party at this year's local elections.

“EWCA would like to pay tribute to our departing councillors for their efforts on behalf of residents and to our candidates who were unsuccessful on this occasion, where it appears that the new ward boundaries coupled with an anti-government protest vote took a toll.

“However we will regroup, redouble our efforts and return stronger at the next borough elections in 2018.”