THE leaders of the top two parties at Southampton City Council held onto their seats in yesterday's elections - but the Liberal Democrats weren't so lucky.
The Lib Dem group was wiped out as both councillors, including former council leader Adrian Vinson, lost their seats to the Conservatives.
It means that there now currently no Lib Dems on the city council, with two seats still to be decided.
With the Conservatives also losing their Shirley seat to Labour, both parties gained one councillor in the elections.
Labour candidate Hannah Coombs celebrates winning the Shirley seat
Anti-cuts councillor Keith Morrell made history by gaining a landslide win in Coxford to become the first independent councillor elected to the council.
Labour, who had been targeting their former party member's seat, were beaten into third place by UKIP.
The euro sceptic party didn't win a first seat on the council, but did create some nervous moments for the other groups.
Labour council leader Simon Letts managed to beat the joint challenge of UKIP and the Tories in Bitterne, eventually winning with a majority of 97.
And there were only nine votes in it in Sholing, where the Tories' Nigel Hecks (below) narrowly beat Labour's Phil Wood, with UKIP's John Sharp not far behind.
It now means that there are 27 Labour councillors, 17 Conservatives and two anti-cuts councillors.
But there are still two seats to be decided as they are both in the Millbrook ward which has gone to a recount which will be held at midday today.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel