Election comes down to drawing lots

2:31am Friday 2nd May 2008

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The running of Hastings council came down to the drawing of lots.

Had the draw gone one way the Conservatives would have had effective control despite it officially being hung.

The deciding ward of Old Hastings was tied between the Liberal Democrat leader Richard Stevens and Conservative Stuart Padget - each with 633 votes.

The Lib Dems won the draw, meaning the council remains under no overall control.

Had the Conservatives won, they would have had 16 of the 32 seats, and with the Mayor's casting vote, effective control.

The Conservatives made one gain and now have 15 seats. Labour won one and have 12. The Liberal Democrats lost two and now have three seats. The Independents still have one seat.

More reaction will follow later.

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