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    New leader at helm for Lib Dem's
    Councillor Jill Baston
    Councillor Jill Baston

    SOUTHAMPTON'S Lib Dem party has a new leader at its helm after its former supremo was ousted after 12 years.

    Councillor Jill Baston will front the opposition group following the party's AGM on Saturday. Steve Sollitt has been appointed deputy.

    And she's wasted no time at criticising the new ruling Tory group who swept to power after a victorious election night last week - branding their electioneering "aggressive" and claiming they played "a dirty tricks campaign".

    The Lib Dems lost three seats on Thursday night -Portswood by 129 votes, Coxford by 132 votes and Peartree by 502 votes, leaving them with just eight seats. Labour have 14 while the new ruling party have 26.

    Cllr Baston said: "A lot of their (Tory) literature seriously misrepresented us. They said things about our future plans which were not true - for instance plans for a fortnightly bin collection.

    "They are aware that changes in waste collection are unpopular and put it out in a deliberate attempt to mislead and they misrepresented the car parking issue.

    "Since the election, we have picked ourselves up and dusted ourselves down and, as an opposition group, we will be keeping a very close eye on the Conservatives."

    But Tory leader Alec Samuels stood by the party's campaign and urged anyone with doubts to check the cabinet's minutes online.

    He said: "Their accusations are totally unfounded. The fact they are seeking excuses in this way more than justifies the total loss of confidence which the electorate have shown in the Lib-Lab coalition."

    8:03am Monday 5th May 2008

    Print   Email this   Comment
    Posted by: hulla, baloo on 8:23am Mon 5 May 08
    "Cllr Baston said: "A lot of their (Tory) literature seriously misrepresented us. They said things about our future plans which were not true "


    Maybe a case of the pot and kettle here.
    Posted by: Paramjit Bahia, Southampton on 9:13am Mon 5 May 08
    hulla wrote:
    "Cllr Baston said: "A lot of their (Tory) literature seriously misrepresented us. They said things about our future plans which were not true " Maybe a case of the pot and kettle here.
    You have guessed it OK.
    Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 9:26am Mon 5 May 08
    Tories in Portswood- set your sights on taking out another Lib Dum leader in 2010!
    Posted by: Chav free zone, Swaythling on 9:45am Mon 5 May 08
    Lib dems lost our vote in swaythling for not responding to our request for help in fighting the massive gateway development in our road.
    Posted by: Paramjit Bahia, Southampton on 10:07am Mon 5 May 08
    First congratulations to the new leader of the Lib-Dems.

    I have always disliked their slippery organisation, which is the master of dirty tricks. It is sad Cllr.Baston has not used this opportunity for changing that image. She could have won lot of respect by simply owning the mistakes and arrogance of the past and make a fresh start.

    Regarding Tory campaign, it may be diffrent in other areas, but where I live apart from one circular there was nothing else. I did help Denis Harryman in Redbridge and did not notice any thing unusual done by the Tories.

    While visiting friends in Peartree I came across plenty of leaflets by both Lib Dems and New Labour attacking Norah Goss. Those personalised attacks obviously backfired.

    Apart from Bitterne where Labour voters VERY RIGHTLY refused to support Paul Jenks in the rest of the city it was dislike of arrogance and dishonesty of unprincipled LibLab deal which played a major part. Obviously bloody minded heartless attacks upon the weaker sections of the society by de facto Tory Brown also played into Conservative hands.

    So Baston blaming Tories for dirty tricks is a bad move.
    Posted by: murphatsoton, Southampton on 11:11am Mon 5 May 08
    If the Tory literature told lies then M/s Baston and the rest of the opposition should take this up with the Electoral Commission. I think however, the Tories may be guilty of telling TOO MUCH TRUTH. That's why Vinson and Bridle are out on their proverbial. And the Tories now know that if they forget that they are in place at the will of the people in Southampton, we will chuck them aside too!!!!
    Posted by: John Smith on 11:44am Mon 5 May 08
    Jill Baston becoming Lib Dem (or is it Lib Lab) leader will do nothing to revive the Liberals losses in the local elections, already she is blaming another party for underhand tactics and in so doing, she shows that she belives the electorate are gullable, to the extent that the Liberals lost more than 500 votes in Peartree Ward. She obviously does not realise where her own party went wrong, perhaps now she should ask some of those lost voters, and listen to what they say, before she forms her own erroneous opinions and loses all credibility.
    Posted by: hoo flung dung, southampton on 12:04pm Mon 5 May 08
    where i live Anne Milton's only real defence against the tories was the fact their candidate did'nt live here? not the end of the world as long as he does not stitch us up like she did.

    secondly as for trying to decieve, Anne Milton posts flyers through our door in Tory blue rather than the usual lib/dem yellow???

    nice try but it failed did'nt it, should save us a fortune on her taxi's!
    Posted by: Captain Birdseye, Southampton on 12:10pm Mon 5 May 08
    Jill Baston has a case of sour grapes. The Lib Dem budget papers show them wanting to end the weekly bin collection.

    If they don't want to scrap the weekly collection then they shouldn't propose doing so!
    Posted by: Happy days are here again, Bevois Valley on 12:12pm Mon 5 May 08
    Methinks the lady doth protest too much. The Tories should take Baston's comments as complimentary as the Liberals have a history, locally and nationally, of fighting extremely dirty elections, and now that they've been found out they go crying and whinegeing. No more "Lid Dems Winning Here" posters will be evident any time soon...
    Posted by: The Dead Golden Bird, Portswood on 12:15pm Mon 5 May 08
    The Lib Dems put through a leaflet in Bassett which said that a tory was claiming 30k a year for his job.

    The Lib Dem leader then admitted this was a lie.

    In Portswood they stuck a leaflet in my door which implied the tories were sexist.

    They will say anything and do anything to hold onto power.

    Because if they don't have power they have no voice.
    Posted by: Lee Whitbread, Southampton on 3:49pm Mon 5 May 08
    The Conservatives did mislead people in their leaflets, there is no doubt about thar! The former Labour led administration had no plans to introduce charges for the first parking permit.
    Posted by: Anon, Southampton on 4:20pm Mon 5 May 08
    Lee Whitbread wrote:
    The Conservatives did mislead people in their leaflets, there is no doubt about thar! The former Labour led administration had no plans to introduce charges for the first parking permit.
    Lee Whitbread, loser from Bassett - you have a Labour agenda here. With 10% of votes in your ward, I suspect you have plenty of sour grapes to go around.
    Posted by: Richard rowe, Bitterne park on 5:04pm Mon 5 May 08
    hoo flung dung wrote:
    where i live Anne Milton's only real defence against the tories was the fact their candidate did'nt live here? not the end of the world as long as he does not stitch us up like she did. secondly as for trying to decieve, Anne Milton posts flyers through our door in Tory blue rather than the usual lib/dem yellow??? nice try but it failed did'nt it, should save us a fortune on her taxi's!
    Ann Milton also failed to let everbody know that the then leader of the Lib Dems Mr Vinson actually lives in Chandler Ford & not Highfield (His postal address)They must think were all stupid.
    Also Jill Baston is a parasite, who will not benefit this city
    Posted by: Dawn Herrod, Stoneham on 5:59pm Mon 5 May 08
    Where do these kindergarten Lib.Dems com from. It is MOST unfortunatthat it is they who having been working on force pretences - who decided it would be a good idea to charge home owners to pay parking outside their own houses. Who was it who decided the Travellers Permanent Site should be on a flood land - don't talk about lies because you have now decided that the 'parking idea' was not a good idea. Mr and Mrs no rights.
    Posted by: You got it wrong, Southampton on 6:40pm Mon 5 May 08
    Richard rowe wrote:
    hoo flung dung wrote: where i live Anne Milton's only real defence against the tories was the fact their candidate did'nt live here? not the end of the world as long as he does not stitch us up like she did. secondly as for trying to decieve, Anne Milton posts flyers through our door in Tory blue rather than the usual lib/dem yellow??? nice try but it failed did'nt it, should save us a fortune on her taxi's!
    Ann Milton also failed to let everbody know that the then leader of the Lib Dems Mr Vinson actually lives in Chandler Ford & not Highfield (His postal address)They must think were all stupid. Also Jill Baston is a parasite, who will not benefit this city
    Wrong again - Cllr Vinson has always lived in the city - unlike the Tory in Swaythling that got elected and then moved... get it right mate!
    Posted by: Richard Rowe, Bitterne park on 6:53pm Mon 5 May 08
    You got it wrong wrote:
    Richard rowe wrote:
    hoo flung dung wrote: where i live Anne Milton's only real defence against the tories was the fact their candidate did'nt live here? not the end of the world as long as he does not stitch us up like she did. secondly as for trying to decieve, Anne Milton posts flyers through our door in Tory blue rather than the usual lib/dem yellow??? nice try but it failed did'nt it, should save us a fortune on her taxi's!
    Ann Milton also failed to let everbody know that the then leader of the Lib Dems Mr Vinson actually lives in Chandler Ford & not Highfield (His postal address)They must think were all stupid. Also Jill Baston is a parasite, who will not benefit this city
    Wrong again - Cllr Vinson has always lived in the city - unlike the Tory in Swaythling that got elected and then moved... get it right mate!
    facts r facts sunshine u get yours correct.Maybe u r a Lib Dem Councillor?
    Posted by: You got it wrong, Southampton on 7:20pm Mon 5 May 08
    Richard Rowe wrote:
    You got it wrong wrote:
    Richard rowe wrote:
    hoo flung dung wrote: where i live Anne Milton's only real defence against the tories was the fact their candidate did'nt live here? not the end of the world as long as he does not stitch us up like she did. secondly as for trying to decieve, Anne Milton posts flyers through our door in Tory blue rather than the usual lib/dem yellow??? nice try but it failed did'nt it, should save us a fortune on her taxi's!
    Ann Milton also failed to let everbody know that the then leader of the Lib Dems Mr Vinson actually lives in Chandler Ford & not Highfield (His postal address)They must think were all stupid. Also Jill Baston is a parasite, who will not benefit this city
    Wrong again - Cllr Vinson has always lived in the city - unlike the Tory in Swaythling that got elected and then moved... get it right mate!
    facts r facts sunshine u get yours correct.Maybe u r a Lib Dem Councillor?
    And maybe your just a Tory - for your information I am someone who knows the fact - unlike you

    Maybe you should let everyone know why you sit on here all day ....

    Ohh and I have reported your post to the Echo as Libel


    Posted by: hoo flung dung, southampton on 7:28pm Mon 5 May 08
    You got it wrong wrote:
    Richard Rowe wrote:
    You got it wrong wrote:
    Richard rowe wrote:
    hoo flung dung wrote: where i live Anne Milton's only real defence against the tories was the fact their candidate did'nt live here? not the end of the world as long as he does not stitch us up like she did. secondly as for trying to decieve, Anne Milton posts flyers through our door in Tory blue rather than the usual lib/dem yellow??? nice try but it failed did'nt it, should save us a fortune on her taxi's!
    Ann Milton also failed to let everbody know that the then leader of the Lib Dems Mr Vinson actually lives in Chandler Ford & not Highfield (His postal address)They must think were all stupid. Also Jill Baston is a parasite, who will not benefit this city
    Wrong again - Cllr Vinson has always lived in the city - unlike the Tory in Swaythling that got elected and then moved... get it right mate!
    facts r facts sunshine u get yours correct.Maybe u r a Lib Dem Councillor?
    And maybe your just a Tory - for your information I am someone who knows the fact - unlike you Maybe you should let everyone know why you sit on here all day .... Ohh and I have reported your post to the Echo as Libel
    ooh, how very dare you!

    my original point was it does not matter where they are living in the locality but what job they do for us?

    anne milton lives around the corner and did a poor job so local is not always best. in fact while i think of it she just lives ROUND.....!
    Posted by: hoo flung dung, southampton on 7:31pm Mon 5 May 08
    While Mr Rowe is reading this could he ask when the tories are going to do something about the 'chewing gum' on the pavements? LOL?
    Posted by: Working class till I die, Totton on 9:52pm Mon 5 May 08
    Great news that the foul Lib-Lab pact was seen for what it was by the voters in Southampton. Interesting to read about the 'dirty tricks' of the liberals, it is the same here in Totton, they love nothing better than putting stuff like 'they never win here' regarding other candidates.

    what does it matter where the representative lives as long as they get something done, most MP's spend all their time on the gravy train that is Westminster anyway, so why should it be any different for councillors?

    I turned the TV on the other day and there was, a what I thought was a 'new labour' person spouting off about how the tories never won in various northern labour heartlands, this guy was really giving it some about how labour would bounce back etc, I was well shocked when this 'hero of labour's' name came up, it was in fact the leader of the liberals, Mr Chope!

    The way he was going on it was more like a party political braodcast on behalf of the labour party!

    At least you know where you are with liberals, sell out traitors who can only get anywhere by hanging on to the coat tails of better performing political groups.

    Nice one residents of Southampton on realising that 'secret' behind closed doors pacts are the sign of a dying political group and oh yes, the liberal democrats 24-7!
    Posted by: Working class till I die, Totton on 9:55pm Mon 5 May 08
    Working class till I die wrote:
    Great news that the foul Lib-Lab pact was seen for what it was by the voters in Southampton. Interesting to read about the 'dirty tricks' of the liberals, it is the same here in Totton, they love nothing better than putting stuff like 'they never win here' regarding other candidates. what does it matter where the representative lives as long as they get something done, most MP's spend all their time on the gravy train that is Westminster anyway, so why should it be any different for councillors? I turned the TV on the other day and there was, a what I thought was a 'new labour' person spouting off about how the tories never won in various northern labour heartlands, this guy was really giving it some about how labour would bounce back etc, I was well shocked when this 'hero of labour's' name came up, it was in fact the leader of the liberals, Mr Chope! The way he was going on it was more like a party political braodcast on behalf of the labour party! At least you know where you are with liberals, sell out traitors who can only get anywhere by hanging on to the coat tails of better performing political groups. Nice one residents of Southampton on realising that 'secret' behind closed doors pacts are the sign of a dying political group and oh yes, the liberal democrats 24-7!
    Sorry I meant Mr Clegg?

    Anyway it begins with a C
    Posted by: Richard Rowe, Bitterne Park on 10:04pm Tue 6 May 08
    hoo flung dung wrote:
    While Mr Rowe is reading this could he ask when the tories are going to do something about the 'chewing gum' on the pavements? LOL?
    Which piece of gum are you asking of.I will come round myself & remove it for you.
    Posted by: Richard Rowe, Bitterne park on 10:25pm Tue 6 May 08
    You got it wrong wrote:
    Richard Rowe wrote:
    You got it wrong wrote:
    Richard rowe wrote:
    hoo flung dung wrote: where i live Anne Milton\'s only real defence against the tories was the fact their candidate did\'nt live here? not the end of the world as long as he does not stitch us up like she did. secondly as for trying to decieve, Anne Milton posts flyers through our door in Tory blue rather than the usual lib/dem yellow??? nice try but it failed did\'nt it, should save us a fortune on her taxi\'s!
    Ann Milton also failed to let everbody know that the then leader of the Lib Dems Mr Vinson actually lives in Chandler Ford & not Highfield (His postal address)They must think were all stupid. Also Jill Baston is a parasite, who will not benefit this city
    Wrong again - Cllr Vinson has always lived in the city - unlike the Tory in Swaythling that got elected and then moved... get it right mate!
    facts r facts sunshine u get yours correct.Maybe u r a Lib Dem Councillor?
    And maybe your just a Tory - for your information I am someone who knows the fact - unlike you Maybe you should let everyone know why you sit on here all day .... Ohh and I have reported your post to the Echo as Libel
    Well done! Look forward to hearing from them.By the way a least im big enough to put my name to my comments.Will not respond to you anymore as i dont want you to tell on me again.See yeh!
    Posted by: sdungey Cornwall, Cornwall on 1:09am Wed 7 May 08
    My elderly mother is still living in Portswood, None of the recent councillors could be bothered to deal with a problem outside her home. As a member of her majesties forces I am disgusted that I had to use my phone bill twice! and waste my precious shore leave on such a bunch of wasters just to get them to sweep up their mess and to get a councillor to do a basic duty -namely to get his staff to clean up after filling a pothole instead of leaving the mess to go across the pave ment and under my mothers font gate and on to her property! These tykes have the neck to rip off my mother for £103 per month for a street that is a disgrace and like many other roads in Portswood and Swaytling have become to the point they are dangerous to people young and old. Also said councillors could not be bothered to come and see me about this issue and many others. I do not care about party polictics- I just want a clean safe and well maintained city where the council will get on with the work that requires to be done. Councillors Vinson & Bridle have asked for trouble likewise Ann Milton. All Ann Milton could could go on about was Mansbridge, she is supposed to be a councillor for SWAYTLING which incidently Ann if you read this includes Sirdar Road.!!!! That is one of the many reasons you are now out and good ridance!! I would like to feel that the new Councillors would visit Sirdar Road and see how rotten it has become thanks to heavy Goods lorries visiting the university. I live in hope that things will improve for the city I was proud of but would not want to live now even if I was paid to.!!!!!
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