THE dismal economy and row over MP expenses were blamed for the hammering the Labour party took from Fareham voters in the small hours of this morning.

Fareham Results in Full

The councillors who represent Gordon Brown’s government finished last in almost every ward in most cases receiving little more than a handful of votes.

The reds avoided complete humiliation in Porchester where they narrowly defeated the English Democrats and BNP.

However, only 53 votes seperated Labour from the extreme right wing party.

The Tories on the other hand were jubilant after retaining strongholds of Crofton, Sarisbury, Titchfield, Warsash and both seats in Fareham Town.

The only seat the Conservatives failed to win was Porchester where Lib Dem Roger Price was voted back in leaving the blues in second.

The Tory bandwagon started rolling in at 3.10am when the first declaration saw Keith Evans storming to victory in Warsash.

He told the Daily Echo: “This is a clear message that people want a change in Government and if this is the same message elsewhere in the country it is hard to see how the Gordon Brown can stay on as Prime Minister.

“If people are putting in a protest vote it seems to be going in favour of the Conservtive party. We are delighted with today’s results.”

Sean Woodward, who returned as Sarisbury county councillor, said: “I think the results are testimony to the good things the Conservatives are doing in Fareham although they have probably been colured by what is happening at a national level."

The final declaration was made when Tories John Bryant and Raymond Ellis romped home in Fareham Town.

Most of the Labour faithful had trailed out by this point but Richard Ryan, who had stood for Porchester, said: “We are obviously deeply disappointed with the results and it is very clear that people are angry because of the economic problems we are having and the row over MP expenses.

“While that has been a problem with all parties it is also the one in power that bears the brunt of it.”

The turnout overall was 40.88 per cent of the 87,220 electorate.