Wow! It is surprising and refreshing to hear that Labour's unions, and Southampton Labour members, now want to stand against the Labour-run council.

I've been standing against care home closures for ten years, starting before I was a city councillor, whether it was done by Tory or Labour councillors. Labour or Tory, same old story.

Why have they suddenly and seemingly grown a backbone?

Why did they not stand against Labour councillors in 2016 closing and now selling off Brownhill House on Lower Brownhill Road, in the Redbridge ward that I have represented for nearly eight years?

Why did Momentum member and Labour cabinet member for adult social care, Councillor Lorna Fielker tell me in writing a few weeks ago about her support for the closure of Brownhill House: "While I was not part of the decision making process for this. I do support the decision that was made."

Why one rule for Thornhill in the east of the city and another for Maybush in the West?

Why won't they support the re-opening of Brownhill House, which I and other residents have campaigned for?

Could it be because Alan Fraser, chair of the Southampton Labour Party, is planning to stand in the council elections as the local candidate? And his move is purely to back his candidacy?

Perhaps Labour chair Mr Fraser and Councillor Fielker can explain.

Southampton Labour has lost thousands of council votes, and lost council seats like Bitterne, over the last few years since it took control of the council in 2012 with a landslide.

I quit the Labour group in 2015 because of decisions like this.

Labour now have just a two-seat majority.

Residents don't like Labour's record. Residents say Labour isn't Labour any more.

Now even Labour councillors' unions and their party members are deserting the disastrous decisions by this rotten Labour council.

Councillor Andrew Pope

Southampton Independents councillor for Redbridge Ward