Christchurch MP and former Wandsworth council leader Sir Christopher Chope has described the Conservative loss in Wandsworth as a “great disappointment”. 

Sir Christopher, who was elected council leader for the London Borough in 1979, also said the Conservative party should be “proud” of their 44-year legacy of “outstanding local government”. 

This morning it was revealed Labour has taken the majority of seats from the Conservatives in Wandsworth in the local elections. 

Speaking to the Daily Echo, the 74-year-old, who has been MP for Christchurch since 1997, said: “I find it particularly galling that people have chosen to vote out a council where the Band E council tax is £866. 

“By comparison, just next door in Lambeth the tax is £1660. There is an enormous difference in council tax, and when people are complaining about the cost of living, it is slightly bizarre that people haven't voted to keep their own council taxes down. 

“Having said that, the Labour party accepted the Conservative legacy and that they won't increase council tax.  

“That shows the significance of what the Conservatives have achieved in Wandsworth, including having a debt free council, which is relevant to us here in Bournemouth where it seems the approach of the Conservatives is to increase debt and thereby increase the burden of council taxpayers in the future.” 

He added: “Westminster and Wandsworth were the jewels in the Conservative crown.

“It was on that basis that the 1990 local government election was a success. On that basis last night was great disappointment. 

“I'm obviously disappointed by it, but it was slightly affected by boundary changes and it was not a whitewash. 

“The legacy is there to see and I'm sure they will win it back.”