I visited Winchester this morning and was the first County Councillor to sign the required declaration of acceptance document, witnessed by the Head of Legal Services.

After 30 odd years of Conservative rule at Hampshire County Council, things have finally shifted. The Tories have lost overall control.

This is where things get really interesting. Each of the political groups have to decide what to do, given that the voters have decided not to give any one party political control.

I have not been in this situation before, so some careful thought is required.

My immediate concern is providing some degree of stability, so that the County Council and staff can deliver all those services for the next two years before the authority is abolished.

Very few Councillors are content with being in opposition all their political lives. The voters provide you with a mandate. If it isn’t a straightforward majority you have to consider how best to form a ruling administration. Clearly, it works better if you have other experienced members to work with.

Everyone knows what a desperate financial situation is inherited from the last administration. The lack of money takes away the element of choice. I suspect it will be very difficult indeed to maintain services even with a council tax increase.