AN OUSTED council leader has launched his campaign to “win back” part of the city.

Simon Letts - who was leader of Southampton City Council until he lost his seat in this year’s local elections - has vowed to take on MP Royston Smith at the next general election.

The political rivals battled it out for the city’s Itchen seat in last year’s general election, with Mr Letts losing to Mr Smith by only 31 votes.

It was one of the closest fought elections in the Southampton history.

Now Mr Letts says his campaign will be based on fighting “Tory cuts” - holding a rally at the weekend to mark the launch of his campaign in one of the country’s most marginal seats.

But Mr Smith said Mr Letts’ battle cry doesn’t make him anxious.

Speaking to the Echo Mr Smith said: “I think it’s good. I like the idea of him making homemade placards and marching through the streets while I speak to my constituents.

“I’ve served the people of Southampton in one way or another for 20 years. It’s down to the electorate. I think you need to think about doing your job to the best of your ability.”

But he countered Mr Letts’ claims of Conservative cuts by citing Southampton City Council threats to close care homes.

He added: “Most of the things happened on his watch as leader of the council. He wants to look at himself - to close care homes, close respite for disabled people and bring in a chargeable clean air zone for motorists - there are lots of things that he has done.”

But Mr Letts bit back and told the Echo: “Royston doesn’t make the link between that and the 50 per cent cuts in government grants?

“If you take half of somebody’s money what impact is that going to have? Austerity has had a massive effect on Southampton.”

He added: “Since the start of the Tory government cuts, our amazing city has been made to manage under the weight of cruel cuts of over half a billion pounds, ravaging our public services and making life more difficult for the people who call Southampton home.

“That is £5,000 from the purse of each household in Southampton. Poverty and food bank use has rocketed and life expectancy has now stalled.

Labour is serious about winning Southampton Itchen and this launch will set the tone of our campaign. Southampton Itchen wants change and I will work tirelessly with our campaigners and members to deliver it.

“Whilst the Tories are infighting and plunging us into political crisis, I will be putting forward Labour’s plan to rebuild Britain, for the many, and not the few.”