The Conservatives have lost Mid Sussex to No Overall Control for the first time since 1999 following all-out elections, with the Lib Dems becoming the largest party.

Having held every seat on the council as recently as 2015 and been previously regarded as one of the safest Conservative councils, the collapse of the Conservative vote is profound, with one of the key casualties of the night being council leader Jonathan Ash-Edwards who lost his seat in Lindfield.

While Conservative support held up in places like East Grinstead, the Lib Dems saw significant gains, particularly in the key area of Haywards Heath. Several Independents were also elected across the district, as were four Greens, while Labour picked up its first councillor.

The Lib Dems will now likely seek to enter into an agreement with the Greens and Labour to take control of the council.

After 48 out of 48 seats declared, the council composition is as follows:

• Lib Dem – 20
• Conservative – 18
• Independents – 5
• Green – 4
• Labour – 1

If you wish to discuss this council’s result in more detail, please contact [email protected]