THE turquoise tide of Reform UK success at the Cornwall Council elections swept across the St Austell area but some familiar faces were also re-elected.
UK Reform won many seats in the area including St Austell Central and Gover, St Austell Poltair and Mount Charles as well as Roche and Bugle.
But it was a double dose of disappointment for Conservatives Steve Double and his wife Anne.
Former St Austell and Newquay MP Mr Double, who lost a large majority to lose the 2024 General Election, failed to be re-elected onto Cornwall Council.
Vying for the St Mewan and Grampound seat he secured 600 votes but was beaten into first place by Reform UK candidate Jule Cunningham who received 620 votes.
Mrs Double, who formerly represented St Austell Central and Gover, failed to be elected to represent Penwithick and Boscoppa.
She finished up in third place with 317 votes whilst Reform UK candidate Jamie Hanlon was elected after gaining 548 votes.
Reform UK candidate Jack Yelland was elected to represent St Austell Central and Gover after receiving 597 votes.
Conservative candidate Jordan Rowse, the former Cornwall Council vice-chairman, was re-elected to represent St Austell Bethel and Holmbush after gaining 839 seats.
Cllr Rowse said: “It is an honour to be re-elected as the Cornwall Councillor for my home patch - Bethel and Holmbush in St Austell. A huge thank you to all those who voted for me.
“The residents of our part of St Austell have spoken and given me a clear mandate to continue working hard for them. This vote was an endorsement for my work over the last four years, and support for me to continue.
“The result was clear, and I have been given a significant majority to continue delivering and putting St Austell first.
“It’s been a hard election campaign, but I am so grateful to everyone who supported me.
“Commiserations to some excellent colleagues across Cornwall who were not re-elected, but I congratulate and welcome all those who have been newly elected.
“We don’t yet know who will be running Cornwall Council, but we now need to leave party politics at the door as we work together to deliver for the people of St Austell, and Cornwall.
“The hard work begins now, and I won’t let you down.”
Conservative Richard Williams-Pears lost his St Austell and Mount Charles seat after being defeated by Reform UK candidate Paul Ashton.
Mr Pears finished in fourth place with 273 votes whilst Cllr Ashton received 619 votes.
Conservative James Mustoe held onto his Mevagissey and St Bay seat after securing 1, 025 votes.
Cllr Mustoe said: “I would like to thank everyone of all political persuasions and none, who voted to return me as Cornwall Councillor for Mevagissey and St Austell Bay for a fourth term.
“As I said throughout my campaign, politics is a team game. I am nothing without the people who help me and support me in my day-to-day work as your councillor, and that teamwork starts with voters putting their trust in me.
“Here's to another four years of doing the job I love, representing the best division in Cornwall.”
Conservative Pauline Giles, the former chairman of Cornwall Council, retained her seat after securing 627 votes.
Cllr Giles said: “Huge thank you to all who voted for me.
“I hope I do everyone proud for the next four years. I’ve worked really hard and I promise I will continue to work really hard so let’s make St Blazey somewhere everybody is proud to live.”
Reform UK candidate Elaine Kist was elected to represent St Stephen-in-Brannel after securing 643 votes.
Mebyon Kernow candidate Dick Cole was re-elected to represent St Enoder and St Dennis after securing 1,000 votes.
Cllr Cole said: “I’m pleased to be re-elected. I put a lot of work in the role as a Cornwall councillor working on behalf of the community I represent, and I’m really pleased to be able to do that for the next four years.”
Reform UK candidate Steve Trevelyan was elected to represent Roche and Bugle after securing 701 votes.
