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Tories sweep into power in Southampton
1:27pm Friday 2nd May 2008
Comments (154) Have your say »
TORIES last night swept back to overall control in Southampton for the first time in 24 years in a sensational victory that cost the seats of both the Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders.
It was the first test for the joint Labour and Lib Dem administration that seized power from the Conservatives in a February budget row over service cuts.
But the alliance, dubbed a "two-headed beast" by Labour leader June Bridle, was slain by a Tory landslide.
Click here for our complete Election coverage including all the results
They gained eight seats, 15 of the 17 up for grabs, giving them a four-seat majority. Labour lost four of its six councillors standing for re-election and the Lib Dems lost all three of theirs.
The Tories will now run the council for two years because there are no local elections next year.
Tory group leader councillor Alec Samuels said: "The public did not care for a Lib Lab pact because they weren't consulted."
Tory deputy leader councillor Royston Smith said: "We always said the public would judge them and their unholy alliance. Tonight they have done so and we've decapitated both heads of the beast. Labour are a spent force in the city."
Click here for photos from election night
Labour leader Cllr Bridle in Sholing and Lib Dem leader Adrian Vinson in Porstwood, both veteran councillors, lost to young Conservative challengers. They refused to face the results in public after attending the count behind closed doors. It was left to their deputies to try to put a brave face on the devastating results.
Labour group deputy leader councillor Jacqui Rayment said: "It was not a good night for us. I think there are a whole range of reasons and the national picture didn't help.
"The Tory campaign has been quite slick. We lost wards we didn't expect to lose and didn't lose ones we expected to. We need to rethink and check our policies are the right ones."
Lib Dem group deputy councillor Jill Baston said: "It's very bad news not just for us as a party but devastating for the city. I don't believe a Tory overall majority is a good thing for the city."
Both refused to rule themselves out of the leadership contests that will now unfold in coming days.
Labour Cabinet member councillor Richard Williams also failed to show his face despite narrowly holding his Woolston seat.
Elsewhere Lib Dem Cabinet member Ann Milton lost in Swaythling. And veteran Labour councillor Dennis Harryman lost Redbridge.
Labour mayor councillor Stephen-Barnes Andrews held on to Bevois.
Conservative Neil Fitzgerald, a 25-year-old cruise industry analyst who came third last year in Coxford, got one of the loudest cheers as the Sholing result was announced.
"The voters have rejected the coalition," he said. "It's a ringing endorsement of our position and our policies. I'm just overwhelmed and so pleased."
Champagne flowed Fellow fresh faced Tory candidates queued up to take the stage of the Guildhall to be announced victors like a procession at a university graduation ceremony. Champagne and beer flowed as the size of the victory become clear.
Cllr Samuels said: "We put forward positive policies and many of our candidates are energetic young people. "It's quite clear that Labour and Lib Dem polices have failed in the city and the public were satisfied with our performance."
Tory strategists put their win down to a rejection of the Lab Lib pact as well as national issues such as the row over the Government's axing of the 10p tax rate.
They admitted a controversial policy approved locally by the Labour and Lib Dem administration to charge residents to park outside their homes also gave them a huge boost.
The administration insisted they had no plans to implement it after it sparked public outrage and a Daily Echo campaign for a U-turn. The issue was seized upon by the Tories.
The city's Labour MP for Itchen John Denham said: "It was always going to be a difficult election for us against the backdrop of the international credit crunch, food and fuel prices.
"Locally the outrageous and untrue campaign about residents parking hit us quite badly.
"In the area of residents' parking schemes it was the key local issue.
"Our own vote stayed strong but the Lib Dem vote collapsed and went into the Tories.
"As a local party we will have to show to people we have listened to the issues and will respond to them."
Greens and UKIP failed to make a breakthrough.
Council legal chief Mark Heath said despite the loss of the council's leader and deputy leader it still had a "valid executive".
The full council next meets on May 14 when it will appoint a new Tory leader and Cabinet.
Read more in today's Daily Echo
Your Say YourDaily Echo
Bish, says...
1:18am Fri 2 May 08
John, Southampton says...
1:19am Fri 2 May 08
My mum (an OAP) receives pensioner credit so she won't see get a discount on her council tax. Samuels the TORY council leader (also an OAP) will benefit from this subsidy to the well off.
c, Woolston says...
1:21am Fri 2 May 08
Richard Rowe, Bitterne Park says...
1:21am Fri 2 May 08
L, Bassett says...
1:21am Fri 2 May 08
John wrote:No the Liberals and Labour were able to vote these proposals out at the February budget meeting as they took over then. Now of course that couldn't happen as the Tories have a majority. So you're safe for another year
Up goes my council tax to pay for the Tories' promise to cut the council tax of well off pensioners. My mum (an OAP) receives pensioner credit so she won't see get a discount on her council tax. Samuels the TORY council leader (also an OAP) will benefit from this subsidy to the well off.
greg, City centre says...
1:22am Fri 2 May 08
Jimbo, Southampton says...
1:24am Fri 2 May 08
Karen, Soton says...
1:24am Fri 2 May 08
kells, Portswood - conservative at last says...
1:28am Fri 2 May 08
TOM, soton says...
1:33am Fri 2 May 08
chris lagdon, Totton says...
1:41am Fri 2 May 08
greg, City centre says...
1:43am Fri 2 May 08
Bill, Southampton says...
1:53am Fri 2 May 08
Tim Catrell, Southampton says...
1:54am Fri 2 May 08
Adrian Smith, says...
2:09am Fri 2 May 08
That is excellent news!
Mel Morris, Burlington, Ontario says...
2:20am Fri 2 May 08
Labour Party Member, SOUTHAMPTON says...
3:27am Fri 2 May 08
marie, soton says...
3:28am Fri 2 May 08
Mark Mywords, Blue Bassett says...
4:05am Fri 2 May 08
Labour Party Member wrote:You'll just visit the website instead i take it?
After the reports in the Echo lately about the two headed beast, etc., i willnot be buying the Daily Echo again.
Paramjit Bahia, Paramjit Bahia says...
4:28am Fri 2 May 08
Labour Party Member wrote:I don't think Echo's circulation manager is going to loose any sleep over your decision.
After the reports in the Echo lately about the two headed beast, etc., i willnot be buying the Daily Echo again.
I suggest that rather than sulking like a spoilt child you along with other members of your party should ask yourselves why the electorate has delivered your lot a well deserved kick up your political backside.
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
4:52am Fri 2 May 08
As citizen of Southampton I am sorry about most hard working Councillor Denis Harryman loosing his seat.
But as a democrat I do accept the verdict delivered by the voters, so my congratulations to Conservatives.
I most sincerely hope that the new councillors will not be arrogant like Bridle and also unlike her and SOME of her coleagues will listen to the people of Southampton. But I have the feelings that members of the self confessed nasty party are not going to do that.
Any way at least now we know who to blame when the things go wrong, which was difficult under the 'Double headed monster'.
Sue, Southampton says...
5:14am Fri 2 May 08
pn, lordshill says...
5:27am Fri 2 May 08
John wrote:The Conservative's proposed a 2.7% rise in council tax this year... the Lib/lab pact forced it up to 3.4%.
Up goes my council tax to pay for the Tories' promise to cut the council tax of well off pensioners.
My mum (an OAP) receives pensioner credit so she won't see get a discount on her council tax. Samuels the TORY council leader (also an OAP) will benefit from this subsidy to the well off.
We would All be paying less if the tories had stayed in control.
New Start, East Side of City says...
5:46am Fri 2 May 08
veteran, Southampton says...
5:50am Fri 2 May 08
Matt, Shirley says...
6:10am Fri 2 May 08
That, and the obvious plans to charge for parking, which would absolutely have happened because politicians are devious, especially New Labour and their spin.
Then, an arrogant ignorant leadership nationally who just seem to think the people of Britain are blinded by their brilliance (read increasingly elitist behaviour) and this explains the result.
The people of Southampton (well, those who voted) have voted with their feet so to speak.
Your goods are no good anymore Labour. Time to go...
Mike, southampton says...
6:40am Fri 2 May 08
this is not true, the tories got in to Southampton on local issues i.e. pikeys, bus passes, council tax and mostly in my case the stupid lib/lab council. if u vote labour its coz u want labour to win. you don't want the libs so somehow you end up with them???
power mad bridle bites the dust along with the buffoon vinson. not to mention MILTON!
wills, soton says...
6:44am Fri 2 May 08
Regards
A Tory
Dave Osbourne, Southampton says...
6:46am Fri 2 May 08
saint, sunny soton says...
6:47am Fri 2 May 08
at least the civic centre will look better with blue lights on the clock tower, never did like the red look.
Ian, bitterne park says...
7:13am Fri 2 May 08
When the cuts in services start I hope the 65% find their political voice.
Condor Man, Southampton says...
7:14am Fri 2 May 08
A great day, all that we need now is a Saints win on Sunday.
Alex, soton says...
7:16am Fri 2 May 08
JO, says...
7:17am Fri 2 May 08
shirley man, shirley says...
7:20am Fri 2 May 08
Yipee, soton says...
7:27am Fri 2 May 08
alex, soton says...
7:32am Fri 2 May 08
140,000 plus
How does he manage ?
Sarah-Jane Pick, Woolston says...
7:37am Fri 2 May 08
Ian, bitterne park says...
7:38am Fri 2 May 08
New Start wrote:What we need now is a strong opposition to the Tories. Both Labour and the LibDems dont present that opposition at the moment.
Well done the tories, at last we will have some strong leadership in the city.
I think the LibDems need to give up because they are the smallest party and have suffered because of their inept councillors.
Labour now need to find a backbone. Firstly the local parties need to tell Brown that he lost the election for them and has to go .
Secondly Labour has to reconnect both localy and nationally to their working class roots. They have clearly lost this in Southampton. Their policies are seen as irrelevant.
Thirdly Labour needs to stop harking on about how hard it was under the Tories between 1979 and 1997.We all know that but after the last 11 years voters dont. It clear in the results.
Democracy has spoken and the Tories are in. I fear for Southampton now.
Ian, bitterne park says...
7:53am Fri 2 May 08
alex wrote:The same as if we had Tory MPs!!
Yipee - Denhams expenses 2006/7 140,000 plus How does he manage ?
Do you really think the Tory Toffs will give up their precious expenses?
They have many family members to employ and kids to put through posh schools and colleges.
Jeanne, Bitterne Park says...
8:06am Fri 2 May 08
Ian wrote:When will you Labourites stop encouraging the so-called class war by calling all Tory MPs and councillors "Tory Toffs". You obviously only read the Socialist press, who don't headline the snouts in the trough aspects of the modern Labour MPs - and I bet you believe that John Prescott is bulimic, too!
alex wrote:The same as if we had Tory MPs!!
Yipee - Denhams expenses 2006/7 140,000 plus How does he manage ?
Do you really think the Tory Toffs will give up their precious expenses?
They have many family members to employ and kids to put through posh schools and colleges.
Jeanne, Bitterne Park says...
8:09am Fri 2 May 08
M, Portswood says...
8:15am Fri 2 May 08
Labour now need to find a backbone. Firstly the local parties need to tell Brown that he lost the election for them and has to go .
The elections were won on local issues alone. I wouldn't necessarily vote for the same party on national level as the issues are very different.
Also, I've not heard a lot from our local candidates pre-election - it's no surprise they lost. Conservatives did a great passionate job advertising themselves in the community pre-election. Let's hope their promises will deliver post-election!
Adrian Smith, says...
8:22am Fri 2 May 08
Mel Morris wrote:Mel,
Does anyone have the individual results - they are not on the city web site or the echos.
I know not why our earlier comments were removed. Echo censorship at it weirdest.
Ian, bitterne park says...
8:25am Fri 2 May 08
Jeanne wrote:Jeanne. So you think Labour MPs are socialist then??
Ian wrote:When will you Labourites stop encouraging the so-called class war by calling all Tory MPs and councillors "Tory Toffs". You obviously only read the Socialist press, who don't headline the snouts in the trough aspects of the modern Labour MPs - and I bet you believe that John Prescott is bulimic, too!alex wrote: Yipee - Denhams expenses 2006/7 140,000 plus How does he manage ?The same as if we had Tory MPs!! Do you really think the Tory Toffs will give up their precious expenses? They have many family members to employ and kids to put through posh schools and colleges.
Mind boggling. Remember the Tory MP who paid for his layabout son to got to a posh school while on the MPs payroll? Snouts, troughs!!
You dont believe in class?? I'll ignore then all the billionaire city folk on their huge bonuses while we suffer from increasing price rises.If you dont think we live in a class society then youre living in Narnia.
I will wait and see how the local Tories get on. If you want to see the future of Southampton just look how the Tories are running the Isle of Wight Council.
Remind me to turn out the lights.
Ayn Rand, says...
8:25am Fri 2 May 08
"Democracy has spoken and the Tories are in. I fear for Southampton now."
Democracy has spoken - and you fear. We really do need to rid society of socialists. Socialism died in 1989 - did you not get that memo?
Sue, Southampton says...
8:25am Fri 2 May 08
Swaythling Boy, Swaythling says...
8:27am Fri 2 May 08
Ayn Rand, says...
8:30am Fri 2 May 08
Yipee wrote:This clearly has to be the next target - the removal of these socialists from our City.
Denham and Whitehouse next - please. I listened to Denham, you lot just don't appreciate how well off you are, (his words), ten years of pure joy and rising standards of living. (well if you have claimed all your expenses).
Gozza, Happy says...
8:35am Fri 2 May 08
Wish I'd been there when the results were announced, just to see their faces!
jimbo, Southamton says...
8:37am Fri 2 May 08
Sue wrote:Tell your bleedin councillor then!!! I'm sure he will be all too keen to help, being new in the job
It would be good if we saw a change in Portswood but I doubt it. Nothing will change, they are not interested in the local residents. I no longer shop in Portswood because of bullies cycling on the pavement, shop lifting, thuggish behaviour, drug taking and syringes dumped in the streets, inconsiderate driving and parking. I would travel miles to find a safe shopping area.
Anon, Southampton says...
8:38am Fri 2 May 08
Paul, Bitterne Park says...
8:40am Fri 2 May 08
Freda Wheeler, says...
8:44am Fri 2 May 08
L, Avenue says...
8:44am Fri 2 May 08
Ian wrote:Ian, see the article in this paper which says the turnout was up on previous years - which returned other winning parties
35% turnout. Wow thats the thumbs up by the population of Southampton.(thats sarcasm by the way) When the cuts in services start I hope the 65% find their political voice.
Betty, Southampton says...
8:47am Fri 2 May 08
Fred, says...
8:54am Fri 2 May 08
Ian wrote:Those 65% need to get off their FLA's and vote next time.
35% turnout. Wow thats the thumbs up by the population of Southampton.(thats sarcasm by the way) When the cuts in services start I hope the 65% find their political voice.
Major Sir Jerry Pending, Ward 10 says...
9:00am Fri 2 May 08
pn wrote:Pay no attention to what political parties proporse when they're in opposition - it's what they do when they're in power that counts. Look at Hampshire County Council - run by the Tories but council tax more than doubled over the past few years and with over £40 million pounds being spent on new offices while services being cut. Good financial management? I think not. But look at Lib Dem Eastleigh - council tax rises 1% below the rate of inflation AGAIN while services are improved and a new cinema and leisure complex being provided. Not surprising therefore that once again the Lib Dems have done well there.
John wrote: Up goes my council tax to pay for the Tories\' promise to cut the council tax of well off pensioners. My mum (an OAP) receives pensioner credit so she won\'t see get a discount on her council tax. Samuels the TORY council leader (also an OAP) will benefit from this subsidy to the well off.The Conservative\'s proposed a 2.7% rise in council tax this year... the Lib/lab pact forced it up to 3.4%. We would All be paying less if the tories had stayed in control.
In the end voters get what they deserve and Southampton residents can now look forward to two years on service cuts and big rises in council tax so it'll be interesting to see how many of those who voted Tory yesterday will start moaning when they see what the Tories actually DO rather than say.
Howard, Mansbridge says...
9:04am Fri 2 May 08
Pay no attention to what political parties proporse when they're in opposition
The tories WEREN'T in opposition when they proposed their budget - it's only after the vote that the liberals and labour ganged up on them and took over. had that not happened their council tax promises would have been in place NOW as published!
Condor Man, Southampton says...
9:06am Fri 2 May 08
Ayn Rand wrote:I think both Denham and Whitehead are on borrowed time. People are sick to death of paying excesses taxes to fund the lifestyles of greedy MP's who are at Westminster to feather their own nests. Neither would earn as much outside government. Roll on 2010.
Yipee wrote: Denham and Whitehouse next - please. I listened to Denham, you lot just don't appreciate how well off you are, (his words), ten years of pure joy and rising standards of living. (well if you have claimed all your expenses).This clearly has to be the next target - the removal of these socialists from our City.
Jim, says...
9:09am Fri 2 May 08
The remaining 8 will be gone in 2010 and 2011. There are no safe LD seats.
hayley, ocean village says...
9:10am Fri 2 May 08
Jim wrote:Good!
The LDs are finished in Southampton, all 3 LDs who stood for reelection lost their seat. The remaining 8 will be gone in 2010 and 2011. There are no safe LD seats.
fishcake, school meal says...
9:13am Fri 2 May 08
Jim wrote:they were only keeping them warm for the conservatives anyway
The LDs are finished in Southampton, all 3 LDs who stood for reelection lost their seat. The remaining 8 will be gone in 2010 and 2011. There are no safe LD seats.
Simon, Shirley says...
9:14am Fri 2 May 08
ron westcott, bassett says...
9:15am Fri 2 May 08
God help us if Pretty Boy Cameron gets to run the country. That will be the end of democracy and freedom for the people.
Stephen Welch, Shirley says...
9:16am Fri 2 May 08
Matt, Southampton says...
9:18am Fri 2 May 08
On the point of this being a victory on local issues, I struggle to comprehend the logic as one of the hardest working, professional and diligent councillors in Dennis Harryman lost his seat. There is definetly an element of the national situation coming into the voting folks.
If ever there was an indication that the Labour party needs to return to its socialist principles, this is it!
Another Socialist
sainth, southampton says...
9:22am Fri 2 May 08
Where's Lee Whitbread?, Prospective Councillor for Bassett says...
9:24am Fri 2 May 08
All mouth, and obviously no support.
Hercule, France says...
9:27am Fri 2 May 08
Simon wrote:The other 7/10 are surely Polish and couldn't care either way? ;)
We i think ths could well be good news for the city some strong leadership after many years of no overall controll. The worry is that so few voted. Any one who did NOT vote (thats 7 out of 10) has no right to complain if they dont like things as they had their chance but did not go and vote.
Ayn Rand, says...
9:30am Fri 2 May 08
Hercule wrote:If the Polish had voted in large number I feel sure they would not be voting for socialists. They fought long and hard to rid their society of reds.
Simon wrote: We i think ths could well be good news for the city some strong leadership after many years of no overall controll. The worry is that so few voted. Any one who did NOT vote (thats 7 out of 10) has no right to complain if they dont like things as they had their chance but did not go and vote.The other 7/10 are surely Polish and couldn\'t care either way? ;)
Louise, Woolston says...
9:34am Fri 2 May 08
For those who voted Conservative in protest, watch as your services are slashed and the rich get rich and the poor get poorer.
claire, swaythling says...
9:35am Fri 2 May 08
claire, swaythling says...
9:35am Fri 2 May 08
Christoff, says...
9:35am Fri 2 May 08
Sarah-Jane Pick wrote:Woolston still has a Labour majority so don't expect a clean up any time soon!
Yep they have won, but now lets see if they can do any better...I am sick and tired of looking at this dirty city of ours, and the crime in Woolston has gone up and nobody is doing anything about it...lets just wait and see
I Hate Labour Scum, says...
9:36am Fri 2 May 08
Time to ditct the tax and spend un-elected Brown and his scum party and get this country back on a sucessful course.
I hate Labour Scum, says...
9:44am Fri 2 May 08
claire wrote:Clueless, completely and utterly clueless.
do the people of southampton have long term memory loss? People forget very quickly what labour party as a whole have done for the working class in this country. I'm disgusted
Labours tax and waste mentality has seen council tax DOUBLE in ten years.
Labours tax and waste mentality has seen us all struggling to fill our cars up with fuel.
Labours lack of border controls and open door policy to Poles etc has seen the wages of working class people supressed and ensured that house/rent prices have sky rocketed. As well as many other negative effects of immigration.
Labour are scum pure and simple. The sooner their nanny state attitude is kicked out of governement and we're not taxed to high heaven the sooner this country can start to mend.
Steve, Southampton says...
9:47am Fri 2 May 08
Ayn Rand wrote:Riiiight. Because voting for Labour is exactly the same as wanting a communist dictatorship.
Hercule wrote:If the Polish had voted in large number I feel sure they would not be voting for socialists. They fought long and hard to rid their society of reds.Simon wrote: We i think ths could well be good news for the city some strong leadership after many years of no overall controll. The worry is that so few voted. Any one who did NOT vote (thats 7 out of 10) has no right to complain if they dont like things as they had their chance but did not go and vote.The other 7/10 are surely Polish and couldn\'t care either way? ;)
By that logic, anyone voting Conservative must long for a Fuhrer.
Paul Carrington, Southampton says...
9:59am Fri 2 May 08
Labour Party Member wrote:Here, have some cheese to go with your whine.
After the reports in the Echo lately about the two headed beast, etc., i willnot be buying the Daily Echo again.
Condor Man, Southampton says...
10:01am Fri 2 May 08
BIG BOY, says...
10:12am Fri 2 May 08
The people of SOUTHAMPTON have put their faith in the Conservatives to lead this town back in the right direction.
KEEP TO YOUR PROMISES and people might stick by you.
MR R ROWE FOR COUNCILLOR
Not Fooled by Labour, Bitterne says...
10:18am Fri 2 May 08
Condor Man wrote:Anyone would think we didn't get services before Brown came along and taxed us all to the hilt.
Typical lefty bleating "oh the loss of services" and the like. Since when did WORKING class people actually benefit from these services? The only people currently benefitting are those on benefits who aren't working class and who don't pay council tax.
The reason services may drop is because of prudence Browns tax and waste spree these last 10 years. Any sensible government builds up reserves during boom times - but not a Labour government. It's taken a new generation 10 years to learn why the previous generation wouldn't touch Labour with a barge pole. It's Browns policy of waste waste waste that means the govt. can't afford to cut taxes as the country now heads into a recession.
At least un-elected Brown will be dragged by his fingernails out of downing street in 2 years time when he's forced to call an election. We can only hope he does't do much more damage in the time he's got left.
Tony, Bitterne Park says...
10:20am Fri 2 May 08
They said that Labour would switch to fortnightly bin collections. Labour has always opposed any such plan and the budget passed by the Lab/Lib council in February kept weekly bin collections.
Tories said Labour would make people pay for their first residents' parking permit. This was a line in a report commissioned by the Tories and which they were going to implement until they lost office. No matter how many times Labour said they wouldn't bring in this charge the Tories were ready to lie again.
The Tories claimed to have given pensioners free nationwide bus travel (it was actually a Labour government policy) but it was while they were in office that the planning wasn't done to get the passes ready in time.
And in all this blatant lying they were cheered on by the Echo with selective reporting of the facts.
I'm trying not to be a bad loser - the Tories clearly were more popular than Labour and Labour needs to look nationally and locally as to why that was. But it's very difficult to argue with a lie.
Big cog, says...
10:23am Fri 2 May 08
Louise wrote:I remember the freedom Thatcher gave me to build and expand my business, creating jobs for all sorts of people like you.
This result is tragic for Southampton. The Tories only ever do anything to benefit themselves and never keep their promises. I remember the devastation of the Tory reign when I was a child and I will never, as long as I live, vote Tory. For those who voted Conservative in protest, watch as your services are slashed and the rich get rich and the poor get poorer.
Mind you I have got much richer under labour in the past 10 years so these results are a mixed blessing to me.
Disillusioned Lefty, Nursing Wounds says...
10:28am Fri 2 May 08
What this further proves is that the centralisation of politics is a bad thing and by accusing opponents of being 'ideological', as if that is a bad thing which has happened continually for about the last three years, the left only further disenfranchises its supporters by using right wing dogma originally thought up as a pre-emptive (and unwarranted in the course of history it transpired) death knell for anything other than free market economics.
I don't care about being in power, I care about having a Labour party that actually stands for the things I believe in. And the Southampton Labour party weren't too consumed by the New Labour project from what I saw. Cllr Rayment said something about looikng at their policies - yes, something a bit firebrand, something proper left wing would be nice thanks. As the privileged Tories run round the Council like hyperactive toddlers on too much tartrazine looking for stuff to sell and rich people's pockets to fatten the Soputhampton Labour party should be concentrating on showing the people of Southampton how the left can help without hugging a tree or looking like Tory-lites, whilst the Tories - almost inevitably I fear but would be happy to be proved wrong - gut the city.
Not a good night. Just hope this doesn't mean the Bullingdon man is going to get to be Prime Minister. Scary thought.
Sorry people, that went off on about twelve different tangents - it was an updsetting mnight - brain isn't in gear yet :)
Robin Cousins, Iceland says...
10:29am Fri 2 May 08
Working class man, Real Life Street says...
10:31am Fri 2 May 08
Also, blaming Margaret Thatcher for a countrys demise would be an interesting argument with anyone who understood that the economic development of this country and its more progressive nature started on her watch. As far as I can tell, the only people that didnt like Maggie were the lazy and cosseted who needed to have their arses kicked.
I very rarely hear a Labour person complaining that Labour has made it more expensive for the poor to live in this country, or that the wealthiest have got wealthier under a Labour government. Funny that! But only if it wasnt funny.
Oh, and I am solidly working class, my great uncle was a member of the communist party but I am smart enough not to be bound by idealism and able to see the situation the working class are in right now in Britain, and it isnt a particularly happy place for us when we are taxed too much (locally and nationally) and everything is too expensive.
Ideally, Idealogue Watcher says...
10:35am Fri 2 May 08
IS this the sort of topic the Echo could do a poll on?
C'mon people - let's keep to simple yes or no answers rather than badly thought out tirades that certain regulars around these parts specialise in so well. Is there a place for ideology in politics - yes or no.
Ideally's Question Mark, End of my sentence says...
10:36am Fri 2 May 08
Whoops :)
Martin, Woolston says...
10:37am Fri 2 May 08
Samuels Popularity Band Wagon, Bereft of Ice Rink says...
10:40am Fri 2 May 08
In fact, go the whole hog and just leave Cllr Dick logged on to here all day moinitoring opinions and base all policies on the the musings of the terminally confused ranty posters.
Fantastic idea, eh?
Neil Fitzgerald, Southampton says...
10:41am Fri 2 May 08
It is clear we now have a mandate to implement our plans.
Neil
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
10:56am Fri 2 May 08
wills wrote:No can't afford insurance rich people's friend Brown has made it too expensive.
Dear Paramjit - A Socialist - I hope you are insured - for rarity value alone ! Regards A Tory
Only way socialists can be safe is to leave the mark two Tory party known as New Labour. I did that in 1996.
Kind regards
Fred, Sholing says...
10:58am Fri 2 May 08
Neil Fitzgerald wrote:Hi Neil - firstly, congratulations. I hope we see you on these comment pages often.
As the new councilor for Sholing, I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. It is clear we now have a mandate to implement our plans. Neil
But secondly - you deposed Bridle, the council leader. That is worthy of celebration. Hopefully you can get Southampton back on the rails after the shameful way that she (and others) acted in February.
Big Clem, over the moon! says...
11:00am Fri 2 May 08
Big Clem, over the moon! says...
11:00am Fri 2 May 08
Jane, aged 5 1/2, Southampton says...
11:01am Fri 2 May 08
For my birthday I wud pleese like a dolly, an end to immmigrayshun that my dad says is wen forriners come hear and take his jawb, and I also want a Polly Pocket Magic House and no munny spent on the disableds or handicaps or pregernant teenage hukers.
I wud like all this oon pleese.
Thanks and kessis.
Jane.
Saint, Sholing says...
11:01am Fri 2 May 08
Neil Fitzgerald wrote:Congratulations - will you be at the Sheffield United game?
As the new councilor for Sholing, I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. It is clear we now have a mandate to implement our plans. Neil
outraged, Southampton says...
11:04am Fri 2 May 08
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
11:19am Fri 2 May 08
How come so far none of the arrogant Bridle's cyber bullies has not blamed Norah Goss for their self made disaster?
whetther agree with her or not, for an independent candidate she has done very well. I am sure she did not expect to win but if her aim was to expose lousy nature of the Lib Dems she has done it brilliantly by gaining lots of votes for an independent.
Louise, 648-386 says...
11:23am Fri 2 May 08
Mind you I have got much richer under labour in the past 10 years so these results are a mixed blessing to me.
I rest my case!
Condor Man, Southampton says...
11:37am Fri 2 May 08
outraged wrote:I know at least one millionaire in Harefield ward, remember it's not just the estate (where most of the houses were sold under right to buy) but also much of Bitterne and Midanbury.
Hooray! The tories have won back the council....never mind that most of the new councillors are just out of their teenage years.....in Harefield for example Daniel Fitzhenry was elected....good news for the ward im sure, with his background as being brought up in a millionaire family and being given a business to run by daddy! I'm sure he will bring lots of experience to Harefield, with all the millionaires that live there. This election was a joke! One big reason people voted Tory is because of this paper reporting on parking permits. No matter how many time's the Echo was told it wasn't going to happen they wouldn't listen....(i'm sure my post will be deleted now) anyway i'm off to Zimbabwe to try and vote in another farce!
People have voted to oust a smug and deluded council who, like Brown, persist in robbing the workers of their money and giving it to chavs to spend in Primark and McDonalds.
It's time people realised that if you don't generate wealth there will be nothing to pass down. I was much better off 11 years ago than I am now because the cost of living was much lower.
bob the pole, southampton says...
12:03pm Fri 2 May 08
Oz, Southampton says...
12:12pm Fri 2 May 08
Labour Party Member wrote:The Echo appear to be quoting June Bridle as calling it that so I don't think you can blame them directly. On the flip side, the resounding vote the other way suggests that the populace of Southampton believes it as such, so perhaps the Echo is just reflecting public opinion?
After the reports in the Echo lately about the two headed beast, etc., i willnot be buying the Daily Echo again.
Rather than posting "sour grapes" I'd rather suggest you have a few days off, and then analyse where it went wrong, how Labour/Lib Dems could have done better and aim to rectify it next time. If the public believe what you're saying then you'll be voted back in. Sounds like win-win to me.
Dr Strangelove, Southampton says...
12:18pm Fri 2 May 08
baggy faced berk!, southampton says...
12:28pm Fri 2 May 08
Dr Strangelove wrote:ok, we won't! the people have spoken loser.
Be afraid, be very afraid and when services start getting slashed don't come bleating to me
Family Man, Bitterne says...
1:22pm Fri 2 May 08
As someone who has never voted Conservative, I have been increasingly disappointed, nay betrayed by this Government. Despite much hope, it failed to deliver.
Had Tony Blair concentrated on national improvement, rather than posturing on the international stage, and blindly following George W Bush on his foreign adventures, perhaps things would have been different, but we are where we are.
Gordon Brown can never win, in the same way as, following Margaret Thatcher, John Major couldnt. He is not up to the job, and has a very limited shelf life before the Labour grandees sharpen their knives.
After 10 years this government has run its course, new ideas are in effect the twitching nerves a dying animal.
Where are we now? As a working working-class family person, I am squeezed between the growing numbers of those who regard state welfare as a career option, and the rich whose wealth is steadily increasing whilst their tax proportion decreases, and it is my taxes that are funding everyone else.
Despite protests that the NHS has never had so much funding, it is an organisation that is failing, that is by any standards that do not form part of its target driven culture. And so it is with most other central and local government bodies, take the CSA, HMRC, DWP, the Home Office (Prisons, Immigration etc.)..local authorities.. the list goes on.
We are embarked on wars on two fronts, in Irag and Afghanistan, neither with any real prospect of lasting success, our forces are being drained, whilst the squaddies at home are treated with contempt by the MOD (perhaps it should be called the Ministry of self defence?), and all too often live in accommodation that is unfit for habitation.
Look at the recent tax hikes, on cars for example.. retrospectively so that road tax will triple in the next two or three years, these arent green taxes to be invested but simply to be swallowed up by an overpowerful Treasury.
I have seen the taxes I pay increase whilst my pay decreases, and my outgoings (mortgage, council tax, water rates, fuel costs, food costs, motoring costs, have I missed anything?) surge out of all proportion.
And the only way I can lash out is at this government, who I hold entirely responsible.
What will happen now? The conservatives will assume power at the next election with a massive majority, that is inevitable! The current government has run its course, worn out, no longer in touch with reality, obsessed with spin and sound bites. There will be infighting within the Labour ranks for some years, until it starts to reform itself. But spend a few years in the wilderness it must. I cannot see another Labour Government after this for at least 12 years.
But will I be any better off under a new Conservative government, I sincerely doubt it!
Steve, Bitterne says...
2:03pm Fri 2 May 08
Matt wrote:What you seem to forget that it was the middle classes that pay for everthing, its the middle classes that get taxed on everthing, its the middle classes that get hit by Labour. They only care about the so called working classes. There are no more working classes only lazy Chav families that rest of us via Labours wastefull management fund. I voted Labour all my life till 2 years ago when i could see what was going on. Labour are as bad as the Stasi was in East Germany, complete control freaks. Labour and Lib have had a good kicking today because they just they are polluted with power and did not listen to Joe Public. Until they do they are both on the way down for a long time. Maybe this now council can move on and represent us the good people of Southampton and make us proud. I am prepared to give them time.
I\'m not surprised at the vote just the magnitude of it but I am absolutely devastated that working class people deem this to be a success! When the Tories start to wield the axe over public service jobs, deplete services to local residents, I am sure then we won\'t see these same voters hailing this as a success to working people. On the point of this being a victory on local issues, I struggle to comprehend the logic as one of the hardest working, professional and diligent councillors in Dennis Harryman lost his seat. There is definetly an element of the national situation coming into the voting folks. If ever there was an indication that the Labour party needs to return to its socialist principles, this is it! Another Socialist
steve, bitterne says...
2:13pm Fri 2 May 08
outraged wrote:Its call democracy, and before you go to Zimbabwe have a chat to White and Black people that have come here to live because of what is going on over there. I have worked with a balck guy that has had to leave because his family stood up to the thugs that the goverment back. Try blamming the poppulation that moan about the results but can't be bothered to get up and vote
Hooray! The tories have won back the council....never mind that most of the new councillors are just out of their teenage years.....in Harefield for example Daniel Fitzhenry was elected....good news for the ward im sure, with his background as being brought up in a millionaire family and being given a business to run by daddy! I\'m sure he will bring lots of experience to Harefield, with all the millionaires that live there. This election was a joke! One big reason people voted Tory is because of this paper reporting on parking permits. No matter how many time\'s the Echo was told it wasn\'t going to happen they wouldn\'t listen....(i\'m sure my post will be deleted now) anyway i\'m off to Zimbabwe to try and vote in another farce!
peter sowerby, says...
3:00pm Fri 2 May 08
J, Thornhill, Southampton says...
3:07pm Fri 2 May 08
This was a vote on national opinion for the majority of voters, as that's what the tory's capitalised on, has anyone seen any of their campaign leaflets? Spin to the highest order. They only really mentioned national issues and made it out that they were local issues.
Also typical of the Tories they try and take advantage of a bad situation, they sent a letter to all residents of Lydgate Green, proposing more "promises" for more Police(Really Special Constables), this is obviously taking advantage of a bit of Anti Social Behaviour, the funny thing is Councillor Fuller did turn up to the meeting but the young 12 year old said not one thing, so he's clearly taking some cheap shots.
I'm young, and I know that someone as young as him will get slaughtered by the local population, becuase he won't be able to answer some simple questions as he has got a simple lack of life experience.
At least this election will give the Labour party 2 years to work hard on getting some respect back, on both a national and local level.
Hermione Grainger, Hogwarts says...
3:07pm Fri 2 May 08
peter sowerby wrote:No, the calamity was the unethical getting into bed with each other in February. It sowed the seeds of their destruction.
The election results are a dark and devastating calamity for our city both labour and the lib dems must share responsibilty for allowing this bunch of tory right wing elitists to run southampton cities affairs.
I'm not elitist (how do you *know* the new councillors are, I suppose you're guessing), I work hard, yet I support the Tories - I do that because I feel that they are the only party who support those who want to work allowing them to benefit from their own hard work. The outgoing lib-lab pact only thought of how they could screw more taxes from those of us who tried our hardest.
Condor Man, Southampton says...
3:15pm Fri 2 May 08
peter sowerby wrote:I know a few of the Tory councillors and they are certainly not elitest. Look at Adrian Vinson, a Cambridge educated former Uni lecturer. No one pointed the finger at him.
The election results are a dark and devastating calamity for our city both labour and the lib dems must share responsibilty for allowing this bunch of tory right wing elitists to run southampton cities affairs.
I find it amazing that people are sad to see the back of the Lib/Labs. Why would any right minded person want to pay more tax. And for what? If you live outside a council estate you get nothing yet pay the most CT. Madness.
jim, southampton says...
3:28pm Fri 2 May 08
Condor Man wrote:Vinson was a high flying Tory in the 60s/70s, whenever, anyway
peter sowerby wrote: The election results are a dark and devastating calamity for our city both labour and the lib dems must share responsibilty for allowing this bunch of tory right wing elitists to run southampton cities affairs.I know a few of the Tory councillors and they are certainly not elitest. Look at Adrian Vinson, a Cambridge educated former Uni lecturer. No one pointed the finger at him. I find it amazing that people are sad to see the back of the Lib/Labs. Why would any right minded person want to pay more tax. And for what? If you live outside a council estate you get nothing yet pay the most CT. Madness.
The Sun, Wapping says...
3:28pm Fri 2 May 08
people, of Southampton says...
3:29pm Fri 2 May 08
Plum pudding, Swamptown says...
3:34pm Fri 2 May 08
Instead, Labour lost the election, totally and utterly. People know, through bitter experience what their policies are, albeit on a national basis.. After all, they see the effects of government policy daily, that is their reality. It is unlikley "local policies" even come into it, I doubt the voter even knows what the manifestoes say, let alone believe them.
This is a typical mid to late term local election by a hacked off electorate, as it is the only opportunity, however meaningless, that the voter has to express his opinion of a current government rather than the alternative parties.
stuart, southampton says...
3:35pm Fri 2 May 08
J wrote:get over it
Firstly I was amazed that the Echo haven't mentioned the young Tory candidate that has managed to get into Bitterne ward, he must be about 12! This was a vote on national opinion for the majority of voters, as that's what the tory's capitalised on, has anyone seen any of their campaign leaflets? Spin to the highest order. They only really mentioned national issues and made it out that they were local issues. Also typical of the Tories they try and take advantage of a bad situation, they sent a letter to all residents of Lydgate Green, proposing more "promises" for more Police(Really Special Constables), this is obviously taking advantage of a bit of Anti Social Behaviour, the funny thing is Councillor Fuller did turn up to the meeting but the young 12 year old said not one thing, so he's clearly taking some cheap shots. I'm young, and I know that someone as young as him will get slaughtered by the local population, becuase he won't be able to answer some simple questions as he has got a simple lack of life experience. At least this election will give the Labour party 2 years to work hard on getting some respect back, on both a national and local level.
aram, london road says...
3:38pm Fri 2 May 08
Plum pudding wrote:jog on, Labour lost as they have lied to the people.
In all honesty, no one could really say the Conservatives won this election, despite the margin of victory. I suspect few people actually know what the Conservative policies are...and are only barely aware of who their candidate is, what he looks like and what he stands for, it is simply a name and party on the ballot form. Instead, Labour lost the election, totally and utterly. People know, through bitter experience what their policies are, albeit on a national basis.. After all, they see the effects of government policy daily, that is their reality. It is unlikley "local policies" even come into it, I doubt the voter even knows what the manifestoes say, let alone believe them. This is a typical mid to late term local election by a hacked off electorate, as it is the only opportunity, however meaningless, that the voter has to express his opinion of a current government rather than the alternative parties.
the tories won as they offer an alternative to the failed nanny knows best policy of the labour goons
J, Thornhill says...
3:44pm Fri 2 May 08
Ian, bitterne park says...
3:44pm Fri 2 May 08
Drinking Horlicks in the evening?
Lee Bumstead, Aldermoor says...
3:51pm Fri 2 May 08
bingolover, southampton says...
3:55pm Fri 2 May 08
Labour have forgotten what 'working class'actually means. I've been hammered by the current government and local council for years and I've had enough. I don't care if my local Tory councillor had a more priviledged upbringing than me, or if his daddy is a millionaire. I just want to be able to feel like the hours I spend at work are actually making my life more comfortable than those who can't be bothered to get a job. The Tory party are the only party at the moment who are of any appeal to people like me. I hope they run this city well.
Lee Whitbread, Labour candidate for Bassett says...
4:09pm Fri 2 May 08
Ken, says...
4:40pm Fri 2 May 08
Christoff, says...
4:42pm Fri 2 May 08
bingolover wrote:I think you raise some good points and it seems there must be thousands of people disillusioned like you.
I'm glad that the tide is changing. Labour's problem is that they do most for the people who are least likely to vote. I work hard for wages that barely cover the cost of essentials. I missed out on going to University thanks to having grants abolished and tuition fees introduced. I am tired of them bleating on about public services for 'working class' people when I can just about afford the bus fare to work! I don't use many local 'public services' as because I work, I am charged full whack for everything so that people who don't work can use them for free. Labour have forgotten what 'working class'actually means. I've been hammered by the current government and local council for years and I've had enough. I don't care if my local Tory councillor had a more priviledged upbringing than me, or if his daddy is a millionaire. I just want to be able to feel like the hours I spend at work are actually making my life more comfortable than those who can't be bothered to get a job. The Tory party are the only party at the moment who are of any appeal to people like me. I hope they run this city well.
All I would say is that although people like you and myself are paying for the 'working class' which I think actually means 'I can't be arsed to work because I'm chav scum class', our lives will be beter for it.
Yes we don't have much disposable income and every penny has to be watched but in the long run it will be worth it. We won't have to live on neglected and crime ridden council estates and our children are statistically more likely to grow up in secure homes and do better out of life instead of getting up the duff as early as possible to get a free house.
I'm sure the tories will be just as inept as the lib/lab lot but we may as well given them a go.
Keep your head held high and be proud that although it's easier not to work, there is more to be gained from life by struggling and winning than doing nothing and losing.
...and you won't smell like a wet dog smoking a fag
gordon, london says...
4:58pm Fri 2 May 08
Lee Whitbread wrote:you lost votes
I would like to place my thanks on record to the returning officer and his staff,I would also like to congratulate Councillor John Hannides on his victory but most importantly I would like to thank the people that took the trouble to come out and vote Labour
fedupoffreemantle, Freemantle, Soton says...
5:09pm Fri 2 May 08
June it's about time you retired, take this opportunity!!
ray, Romsey and Southampton North says...
5:29pm Fri 2 May 08
Lee Whitbread wrote:Labour candidate for Bassett? Is there much point? Even at their lowest in the late 90s, Bassett easily returned Tory councillors. And quite right too
I would like to place my thanks on record to the returning officer and his staff,I would also like to congratulate Councillor John Hannides on his victory but most importantly I would like to thank the people that took the trouble to come out and vote Labour
Maureen and John, Bittterne says...
5:35pm Fri 2 May 08
ex so'ton, Abingdon says...
7:34pm Fri 2 May 08
Condor Man, Southampton says...
7:55pm Fri 2 May 08
Why would any right minded person want to have their money taken away with them to fund the lives of people who don't give a toss about their city, community or family for that matter.
Don't be fooled, cuts in public services are necessary to send a message to the feral that THEY are responsible for the upbringing of their kids, not Sure Start. Why not track down the fathers of this generation of out of control kids and make them foot the bill, not low paid workers already stretched due to the abolition of the 10p tax band.
The council is far too top heavy with high earners who deliver poor results. There needs to be a lot of natural wastage as redundancy costs the council tax payer too much.
The only people who deserve help are the disabled who have no choice over their predicament. I don't think I'll rue the day the Tories got back in, I'll vote for them time and time again. If like me you have a mortgage and a family to support I suggest you do the same.
..., Southampton says...
8:04pm Fri 2 May 08
steve wrote:Clearly Steve, not being able to spell, its possible you may have voted for the wrong person.....its a half hearted democracy with only 35% of people voting, it's not a true reflection of public opinion,if the other 65% had bothered to get off their arses and put an x in a box it could have been a very different story!
outraged wrote: Hooray! The tories have won back the council....never mind that most of the new councillors are just out of their teenage years.....in Harefield for example Daniel Fitzhenry was elected....good news for the ward im sure, with his background as being brought up in a millionaire family and being given a business to run by daddy! I\'m sure he will bring lots of experience to Harefield, with all the millionaires that live there. This election was a joke! One big reason people voted Tory is because of this paper reporting on parking permits. No matter how many time\'s the Echo was told it wasn\'t going to happen they wouldn\'t listen....(i\'m sure my post will be deleted now) anyway i\'m off to Zimbabwe to try and vote in another farce!Its call democracy, and before you go to Zimbabwe have a chat to White and Black people that have come here to live because of what is going on over there. I have worked with a balck guy that has had to leave because his family stood up to the thugs that the goverment back. Try blamming the poppulation that moan about the results but can't be bothered to get up and vote
happyvoter, soton says...
9:05pm Fri 2 May 08
Labour Party Member wrote:It didn't take the Echo to show us the arrogance of the two headed beast, maybe if they had listened to what the voting public wanted they would still be in office.
After the reports in the Echo lately about the two headed beast, etc., i willnot be buying the Daily Echo again.
Guess you will just have to stick to reading socialist propaganda
Sparrowhawk, A Tree says...
9:05pm Fri 2 May 08
That's a really interesting point, Condor Man. My situation is the same in terms of kids and mortgage but I will never vote for the Tories because I believe that the whole of the community in which I live are important and not just myself and that as a human I have a duty to look out for everyone and everyone has the duty to do the same. Strange - and pretty darn interesting too - how people in (admittedly a sweeping generalisation based on website postings) seemingly similar situations can take such diametrically opposed views.
I'm not happy the Tories are in but in a democracy you have to work with what the majority - or majority of thoe who bother to turn out - decide.
This raises two points:
Should we have proportional representation? Okay, it isn't a great system but it would, in my view, at least indicate a clearer picture of the political spectrum in the city.
Should voting be mandatory - even if you just turn up and write 'none of the <swearwords>' on your ballot paper - sub question : should there be a box on the ballot saying 'none of the above'?
These discussions could go round and round. Hopefully we'll see some decent exchange of views in this thread rather than the name calling and snidy comments that usually - and sadly already are in this thread, from both sides - take presidence.
Lib/Lab supportes- lose gracefully fer chrissakes. Tories - win with courtesy can't you? All this 'get over it' and leaping on the slightest phrase that dare urks the sensibilitie of people on both sides is getting extremely tiresome.
Roll on 2010. We'll have a good clean contest and hopefully my lot will have recovered and be the force for good they once were rather than a party divided by turning their backs on the values in favour of electability and get back in with a big majority. Ever the optimist...
Jules, Southampton says...
9:08pm Fri 2 May 08
ray wrote:It wasn't all that long ago when Whitbread supported the Lib Dems. Will Don Thomas defect to somewhere else?
Lee Whitbread wrote: I would like to place my thanks on record to the returning officer and his staff,I would also like to congratulate Councillor John Hannides on his victory but most importantly I would like to thank the people that took the trouble to come out and vote LabourLabour candidate for Bassett? Is there much point? Even at their lowest in the late 90s, Bassett easily returned Tory councillors. And quite right too
Green, Greenland says...
9:37pm Fri 2 May 08
No doubt Southampton will continue to go down the pan!
Colin Wade, says...
9:38pm Fri 2 May 08
marie, sholing says...
12:05am Sat 3 May 08
fedupoffreemantle wrote:shes been rude and nasty with her
Well I'm a staunch labour voter and always will be BUT I'm so GLAD June Bridle has lost her seat. I rang her one day about a Planning Issue happy to hear some suggestions to my dilemma only to be shouted at and have the phone put down on me. If I had been in her Ward I would not have voted Labour. I found her rude, unsympathetic and beligerant. June it's about time you retired, take this opportunity!!
arrogant ways that woman lost my vote years ago because of it
na, southampton says...
12:18am Sat 3 May 08
mel morris, Burlington, Ontario says...
12:24am Sat 3 May 08
Adrian Smith wrote:It's strange because my 2 posts were there for about 2 minutes and then one was removed. My post was not controversial - I simply said that my father has been an extremely hardworking councillor for 9 years and that he had worked tirelessly for his constituents and that Southampton would be the poorer for the loss. I don't see why that post should have been removed. I simply said that it was a very sad result.
Mel Morris wrote:Mel,
Does anyone have the individual results - they are not on the city web site or the echos.
I know not why our earlier comments were removed. Echo censorship at it weirdest.
Stephen Yolland, Melbourne says...
12:26am Sat 3 May 08
Di Healey, Shirley, Southampton says...
12:35am Sat 3 May 08
Jimbo wrote:This is not true nowadays. I know a lot of the Conservative councillors and they are decent people, believe me. I am no way a snob, I attended Regents Park comprehensive and live in Shirley with my husband, 2 cats and 15 week old daughter.
There will be a lot of spotty nosed twelve year old tories in the council chamber this year...!
Jason Starkey, Coxford says...
5:14am Sat 3 May 08
Congratulations to all the councillors who got elected and to all the people of this Great City.
Richard Rowe, Bitterne Park says...
8:27am Sat 3 May 08
Jason Starkey wrote:Have to agree,june bridle & adrian vinson had mad this city a laughing stock for far to long,im no snob but have been brought up with the phrase firmly in my head 'First impressions last' When i first came in contact with these two 'Upstanding' pillers of our city i would have to say i was 'Shocked' Bridle i thought was a bag lady & Vinson was arrogant & very unapproacable. As i became more involved with certain issue local to myself it became apparent that these to people were so up their own backsides & full of their own importance it was totally clear that our situation was falling on deaf ears.Now the BEAST has been decapitated Southampton can now look forward to a better future which is a relief to hardworking people of this city.As for Vinson who really cares he can go back to his house in chandlers Ford/Not highfield is postal address,Retire & maybe reflect & accept he did NOT 'lisen to the citizens' as he said he would many years ago.
WOW what a wonderful day for both Southampton and the rest of the Country. Not to long ago, this city was a bastion of Socialism and at a stand still. Now we finally have a chance to see what it Southampton really can look like under an administration not afraid to make decisions. Not transfixed by politics, greed or the past. Tomorow is another day; a brighter future for this great city of ours. It is a city now were everyone, not just the select few, can make a difference. Congratulations to all the councillors who got elected and to all the people of this Great City.
Condor Man, Southampton says...
8:32am Sat 3 May 08
If people are truly outraged that Southampton has gone Tory then perhaps they need to look at the youth. Where are the young lefties I went to school with?
Shirley Man, shirley says...
9:09am Sat 3 May 08
I personally do not believe that the Tory party won the election on their own merit, or on the policies that they stand for, during the election, I only ever recieved one communication from them, so what are their policies can anyone tell me. If they are still the Thatcherite Tories then it will be cut everything and give it to their supporters to make fast bucks. The only other reason they won was because of the scandalous attacks made by the Echo on the way that they were dumped out of office, and made a mockery of June Bridle, and Adrian Vinson. Plus people have to realise that if they want services such as descent things such as libraries, leisure facilties, social services etc they have to pay for them, everyone in private business gets a pay rise of some description each year, that rule also extends to people on the front line who deliver these services, which in turn means that council taxes have to go up. So what do you want, no libraries, no social services, selling off the fdamily silver and a real Tory attitute of sod you mate I'm ok, or everyone pay something towards a better city and a better future, which means everyone dipping their hand in their pocket.
wills, soton says...
9:15am Sat 3 May 08
John Walker, Bassett says...
2:23pm Sat 3 May 08
bob the pole wrote:You missed out an unelected Prime Minister
democracy in this country?dont make me laugh,unelected head of state,unelected house of lords,zimbabwe is more democratic.
Condor Man, SOuthampton says...
2:33pm Sat 3 May 08
Shirley Man wrote:SCC have provided libraries on most of the estates and they are hardly used. SCC funds child play activities which also have a low take up rate. In fact, a lot of activities provided at places like Hardmoor are used by middle-class people looking for cheap play activities for their kids.
The one thing that is sure, the city is getting back to a fight between Labour and Tories. It will be interesting to see what services are there next year, and to actually see if they are going to make any difference in this city. Will they be out repairing all the roads, or will they be blaming central government. I personally do not believe that the Tory party won the election on their own merit, or on the policies that they stand for, during the election, I only ever recieved one communication from them, so what are their policies can anyone tell me. If they are still the Thatcherite Tories then it will be cut everything and give it to their supporters to make fast bucks. The only other reason they won was because of the scandalous attacks made by the Echo on the way that they were dumped out of office, and made a mockery of June Bridle, and Adrian Vinson. Plus people have to realise that if they want services such as descent things such as libraries, leisure facilties, social services etc they have to pay for them, everyone in private business gets a pay rise of some description each year, that rule also extends to people on the front line who deliver these services, which in turn means that council taxes have to go up. So what do you want, no libraries, no social services, selling off the fdamily silver and a real Tory attitute of sod you mate I\'m ok, or everyone pay something towards a better city and a better future, which means everyone dipping their hand in their pocket.
It's easy to take a pop at the Tories for cutting services but if the people who supposedly need the services don't take them up then why should others have to foot the bill for it?
A lot of the provision could be provided from the voluntary sector. A lot of youth work could be provided via the University and the colleges, plus local church and community groups.
To make a better city is not a case of putting you hand in your pocket, it's making sure YOU provide for your dependents and encourage others to do the same.
wills, soton says...
3:57pm Sat 3 May 08
Jason Starkey, Coxford says...
7:09pm Sat 3 May 08
John Walker wrote:Interesting to hear from the left at a time when we all should be celebrating the fact that another peaceful election went by. No one got killed at the election booth, no one was forced to vote for a specific leader. Now is the time to put the socialist views in the past where they belong. Tomorrow belongs to the democracy that our grandparents and parents fought for. This is a Great Nation and we should all be proud of her. I know I am.
bob the pole wrote:You missed out an unelected Prime Minister
democracy in this country?dont make me laugh,unelected head of state,unelected house of lords,zimbabwe is more democratic.
Bob, Soton says...
11:25pm Sun 4 May 08
Green wrote:Hear hear!
You should have voted green. No-ones given them a chance yet. Labour and Conservative have both messed up in the past.
No doubt Southampton will continue to go down the pan!
This is the truest comment I've seen here.
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B, Southampton says...
1:12am Fri 2 May 08