The Conservatives are the only challenger to Labour in Southampton

The results of the European Elections for Southampton can be found HERE.

It was a good result for the Conservatives who topped the poll, with 50% more votes than Labour. Labour were very nearly knocked into third place by UKIP. The Lib Dem vote collapsed with them coming fifth behind the Greens.

It is now clearly a two horse race in Southampton at the next General Election with the Conservatives the only viable challenger to Labour in the city.

Election Success!!

A United Conservative Team

I am absolutely delighted with the local election results in Southampton and really thrilled for all our new Conservative councillors who have w0n after months and months of hard work.

In a stunning victory over the Lib-Lab coalition, the Conservatives won 15 of the 17 contested seats. We came a close second in the remaining two. In all 10 new Conservative Councillors were elected, including two eighteen year olds, all of whom are so keen to do a good job. Full details of the results can be found HERE.

Newly Elected Councillor for Coxford: Ben Walker

I think the backdrop of a great night nationally for the Conservative had a big impact, however local factors were extremely important in this election.

The Conservatives fought on a positive manifesto for the city, including low council tax, a discount for pensioners, more special constables, protection

for family housing and thousands of hours of extra after school sport.

We were clear in our opposition to Lib-Lab policies like introducing a fee for first permit holders in residents parking zones and the Lib Dem policy to scrap the weekly bin collection.

Most importantly I believe that the people of Southampton were giving their verdict on the Lib-Lab pact. Labour and Lib Dems combined to throw out the previous Conservative administration which had run the city since May 2007 following a Conservative victory at that local election. Labour and the Lib Dems told the electorate that it would be their coalition which would run the city for two years, regardless of how people voted. They did not count on the scale of public anger that they would generate through denying the public their democratic voice.

The message to Labour voters was simple - we take you for granted. The message to Lib Dems equally clear - vote Lib Dem get Labour.

Conservatives now have a big task ahead over the next two years. However the team work and enthusiasm in the local party is so great I am very confident we will do the city proud!

Did Ming fall on his sword or was he knifed?

With the Lib Dems reeling from their dreadful local election results in May and trailing in the polls on 11% it was inevitable that Sir Ming Campbell would go. I am suprised at just how quickly it has happened.

There were signs of obvious Lib Dem discontent, with Simon Hughes showing typical veiled disloyalty over the weekend, suggesting that Ming could "do better", and Vince Cable saying his position was "under discussion".

The two questions now being asked are 1) who wielded the knife and 2) who will be the new leader - the two front runners must be Nick Clegg or Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne.

Millbrook Lib Dems Have Lost the Plot!

Millbrook's Lib Dems have just put out a leaflet for the local elections campaigning to stop "Tory Cuts" to the fire service and to "Save" the local Post Office in Regents Park.

A few facts about both...


Redbridge Fire Station

They say that Tories are axing a fire engine from Redbridge Fire Station.

Here is what is hapenning.

A large fire engine from Redbridge is being redeployed to St Marys Fire Station. In its place a smaller 2 man fire engine will operate out of Redbrige.

The fire service say that 90% of fires in the area covered by Redbridge are very small - cars and burning rubbish and a smaller vehicle is better suited to dealing with such fires and they argued that it was a better use of resources to have a smaller vehicle in Redbridge. Also a smaller a vehicle can access areas more easily.

The Fire Authority has representation by all 3 political parties. No party objected to the set up described above. A consultation meeting was held at Bellemoor school. No Millbrool Lib Dems turned up. The Lib Dem representative on the Fire Authority, Peter Galton, did not object or comment.

The fact that the Lib Dems are trying to stir up fear on this issue shows how desparate they are and that they have nothing else to say.


Regents Park Post Office

This post office is not closing. Other post offices around the country and indeed in Southampton have closed or are under threat of closure. This one isn't though. If in doubt ask a member of staff in the post office! Again more Lib Dem drivel. They have nothing meaningful or accurate to say about the area. A sure sign of a party that has lost the plot!