THE battle for power in Southampton got under way last night. Adrian Vinson is now poised to become one of the most influential and powerful people in the city after he was re-elected leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Southampton City Council.

May Day's historic election saw Labour lose its grip on power when the Lib Dems had 18 councillors elected.

Lib Dem leader, councillor Vinson, was given the seal of approval to remain in charge of the party last night and will now be put forward to be elected leader of the City Council.

Thursday's elections left Labour with 16 councillors, the Conservatives 12, and the Liberals and Independents one each, leaving Southampton with a hung council.

Cllr Vinson said: "I am pleased at the continuing confidence in me of my colleagues. Our group will be nominating the leader of the Liberal Democrats as the leader of the council."

It is unclear who will run the city until a full council meeting on May 21 when the three main parties will hold talks.

He added: "I will serve not only my party but, depending on the vote on May 21, the citizens of Southampton. No party has an outright majority so each group has a key role to play.

"We are always prepared to listen to anything that any other party has or group wishes to put to us. However, we have no plans at this time for any particular arrangement."

Current city council leader councillor June Bridle, leader of the Labour group, said she would remain in charge of her party at least until its annual general meeting in October.

She said: "Obviously there is still no overall control of the authority. The proportion may have changed slightly but there is still a need to work together to make things happen.

"I could not say what that might mean because I have not spoken to other group leaders at all. It's very early days still."

Councillor John Hannides, deputy leader of the Conservative group, said its members would meet next week to discuss the election results and who they may side with.

Cllr Hannides explained: "We have not decided our intention as to what might happen if the Liberal Democrats decide to submit themselves and put forward a council leader.

"We have always looked at two factors when deciding how we may vote when a group puts themselves forward - the group's policies and the leader they submit."