2019 Southampton City Council election

Elections to Southampton City Council took place on Thursday 2 May 2019, alongside other local elections across the country. The Labour Party held a narrow majority of two at the last election and the seats contested in this election were last contested in 2015. Labour were defending 6 seats, the Conservatives were defending 8, whilst independent councillors, who held two seats, were not standing re-elections. Following a by-election in the Coxford ward where Labour gained the seat formerly held by an independent.

2019 Southampton City Council election
2 May 2019
16 of the 48 seats to Southampton City Council
25 seats needed for a majority
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Christopher Hammond Dan Fitzhenry n/a
Party Labour Conservative Independent
Leader's seat Woolston Harefield n/a
Last election 25 19 4
Seats before 26 19 3
Seats won 9 7 0
Seats after 29 18 1
Seat change Increase3 Decrease1 Decrease2
Popular vote 18,788 17,266
Percentage 37.25% 34.23%
Map showing the election results. Each ward represents 1 seat
Council control before election

Labour

 Council control after election

Labour

The result saw the Labour party gain Coxford, Freemantle, Portswood and Swaythling, but lost Millbrook and Bitterne to the Conservatives, making a net gain of three.

Background

The council elects its councillors in thirds, with a third being up for election every year for three years, with no election each fourth year to correspond with councillors' four-year terms.[1][2] Councillors defending their seats in this election were previously elected in 2015. In that election, 8 Conservative candidates, 7 Labour candidates were elected and independent People Before Profit councillor was elected in Coxford. After the 2015 local election, the Labour party saw a loss of one of their Councillors, Andrew Pope, who formed the Southampton Independents party.[3] He is not seeking re-election in this election.[4] The last election in 2018 saw both the council leader Simon Letts and leader of the Conservative bloc in the city be defeated in their wards by each other's party. Letts was replaced with Christopher Hammond as council leader, and Dan Fitzhenry as leader of the Conservatives.[5]

People Before Profit, an independent group with all three of its councillors elected in the Coxford ward, decided to separate after the 2018 election.[6] On 3 January 2019, former group leader of People Before Profit, Keith Morrell, announced that he would resign with immediate effect, triggering a by-election in the year.[7] Hours later, Don Thomas announced he would not seek re-election in the Coxford ward.[8]

14 March by-election

Due to the independent councillor Keith Morrell resigning as a councillor, a by-election was triggered for the Coxford ward. Morrell was re-elected in the seat for a third term in the 2018 elections, with 47% of the vote.[9] The Conservative Party candidate for the by-election Diana Galton is the mother of Millbrook Councillor Steven Galton, a front bench member for the Conservatives.[10]

Coxford By-Election 14 March 2019[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Co-op Matthew Raynard 668 26.2 -2.0
Conservative Diana Galton 529 20.7 +4.3
Liberal Democrats Josh Smith 450 17.6 +14.7
Socialist Alternative Susan Anne Atkins 368 14.4 N/A
Integrity Southampton David John Fletcher 178 7.0 N/A
Independent Richard Terrence McQuillan 174 6.8 N/A
UKIP Derek Lascelles Humber 123 4.8 N/A
Green Cara Anne Sandys 53 2.1 −0.9
Majority 139 5.4
Turnout 2,551 25.0 −7.7
Labour gain from Independent Swing

Campaigning

Commentators had noted that though Southampton was a Labour controlled area, these local elections were difficult and the council is vulnerable.[12] Labour in the city had started incorporating more wealth building programs into their economic agenda to mitigate austerity in the city, similar to what is known as the "Preston model".[13]

The conservatives caused a controversy as they selected Josh Payne to contest Woolston, who shared the same surname as the incumbent Warwick Payne. Warwick Payne was concerned that people would mix them up on the ballot paper.[14]

Election results

Immediately ahead of this election, the composition of the council was:

↓
26 19 3
Labour Conservative Oth

After the election result, the composition of the council became:

↓
29 18 1
Labour Conservative Oth

As the council is elected in thirds, one councillor for each of the 16 wards are elected each year. All comparisons in seats and swing are to the corresponding 2015 election.

2019 Southampton City Council election
Party This election Full council This election
Seats Net Seats % Other Total Total % Votes Votes % +/−
  Labour 9 Increase 3 56.3 20 29 60.4 18,788 37.3 +3.1
  Conservative 7 Decrease 1 43.7 11 18 37.5 17,266 34.2 +0.1
  Liberal Democrats 0 Steady 0 0 0 0.0 6,356 12.6 +5.4
  Green 0 Steady 0 0 0 0.0 4,950 9.8 +1.2
  UKIP 0 Steady 0 0 0 0.0 2,756 5.5 –7.1
  Integrity Southampton 0 Steady 0 0 0 0.0 236 0.5 New
  Socialist Alternative 0 Steady 0 0 0 0.0 80 0.2 New

Results by ward

The statement of persons nominated was revealed 3 April 2019.[15] A (*) by a councillor's name indicates that they were standing for re-election, The declaration of the results were posted on 3 May.[16]

Bargate
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Noon* 1,363 49.1 +6.6
Conservative Matt Magee 683 24.6 -10.5
Green Joe Cox 435 15.7 +1.1
Liberal Democrats Joshua Jason Coleman Smith 263 9.5 +4.5
Majority 680 24.5 +17.1
Turnout 2,777 22.39 -29.62
Labour hold Swing 8.6
Bassett
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Les Harris* 1,252 33.9 -12.1
Liberal Democrats Richard Blackman 1,236 33.4 22.2
Labour Simon Osler 658 17.8 -5.3
UKIP John Dean Leaver 267 7.2 -2.3
Green Bethany Norman 267 7.2 -1.7
Majority 16 0.4 -22.5
Turnout 3,696 35.98 -29.57
Conservative hold Swing -17.2
Bevois[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jacqui Rayment 1,743 65.6 +11.1
Green Ron Meldrum 374 14.1 +0.6
Conservative Gloria Munetsi 291 11.0 -7.2
Liberal Democrats Vijay Chopra 218 8.2 +1.5
Majority 1,369 51.5 +15.1
Turnout 2,656 24.52 -30.39
Labour hold Swing 5.3
Bitterne[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Elliot David Prior 1,062 38.2 +5.2
Labour Andy Frampton 941 33.8 -6.2
UKIP Kevin Alan Masters 421 15.1 -2.7
Green Jenny Barnes 206 7.4 +3.1
Liberal Democrats Olivia Caitlin Reed 141 5.1 +1.0
Majority 121 4.3 -2.7
Turnout 2,782 27.91 -28.00
Conservative gain from Labour Swing 5.7
Bitterne Park
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David John Fuller 1,756 47.0 +7.5
Labour Co-op Simon James Oldham 1,092 29.2 -0.6
Green Lindsi Bluemel 511 13.7 +4.9
Liberal Democrats Carol Juliet Lloyd 380 10.2 +2.2
Majority 664 17.8 8.1
Turnout 3739 36.43 -28.83
Conservative hold Swing +4.1
Coxford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Barrie Margetts 768 29.0 +7.8
Conservative Diana June Galton 739 27.9 +8.8
Liberal Democrats Sam Philip Chapman 470 17.7 +14.3
Socialist Alternative - Putting People First Sue Atkins 442 16.7 +16.7
Green Cara Anne Sandys 194 7.3 +4.0
Majority 29 1.1 -14.4
Turnout 2651 26.01 -32.70
Labour gain from Independent Swing 22.3
Freemantle
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Vivienne Windle 1,503 43.4 +9.4
Conservative Vikkie Cheng 978 28.3 -7.0
Green John Charles Thomas Spottiswoode 481 13.9 +1.3
Liberal Democrats Andrew Thomas Beal 442 12.8 +5.9
Majority 525 15.2 +13.9
Turnout 3460 31.42 -29.27
Labour gain from Conservative Swing 8.2
Harefield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Dan Fitzhenry 1,646 47.0 +3.0
Labour Co-op Alan Lloyd 1,088 31.1 +1.3
Green Chris Bluemel 291 8.3 +3.9
Integrity Southampton Peter Alexander Virgo 236 6.7 +6.7
Liberal Democrats John Robert Charles Dennis 221 6.3 +1.4
Majority 558 15.9 +1.7
Turnout 3503 33.82 -28.22
Conservative hold Swing 0.9
Millbrook
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Graham Reginald Galton 1,541 43.6 10.9
Labour David Furnell 1,203 34.1 -1.3
Green Jonathan Simon Bean 380 10.8 +4.2
Liberal Democrats Samuel David Harris 237 6.7 +0.4
Socialist Alternative - Putting People First Maggie Fricker 103 2.9 +2.9
Majority 338 9.6 +7.0
Turnout 3513 31.86 -26.84
Conservative gain from Labour Swing 6.1
Peartree
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alex Houghton 1,737 46.0 +7.9
Labour Jackie Landman 1162 30.8 -1.6
UKIP Kim Rose 369 9.8 -5.4
Green Rosanna Newey 261 6.9 +0.6
Liberal Democrats Robert William Naish 229 6.1 -0.9
Majority 575 15.2 +9.5
Turnout 3773 36.54 -26.33
Conservative hold Swing 4.8
Portswood
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gordon Cooper 1,219 34.2 +6.0
Liberal Democrats James Arnold Read 1016 28.5 +8.4
Green Katherine Jane Barbour 637 17.9 +0.5
Conservative James Victor Burgess 615 17.3 -14.5
Socialist Alternative - Putting People First Nick Chaffey 48 1.3 +1.3
Majority 203 5.7 +2.1
Turnout 3560 34.42 -28.76
Labour gain from Conservative Swing 10.3
Redbridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Sally Victoria Spicer 1,154 42.9 +5.0
UKIP Richard John Lyons 730 27.1 +2.2
Conservative Richard Arthur Palmer 558 20.7 -6.0
Liberal Democrats Simon David Stokes 233 8.7 +4.4
Majority 424 15.8 +4.6
Turnout 2692 24.69 -28.14
Labour hold Swing 5.5
Shirley
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Satvir Kaur 1,685 41.9 +6.0
Conservative Andrew Hetherton 1200 29.8 -5.0
Liberal Democrats Alex Clifton-Melhuish 445 11.1 +4.3
Green Lucy Michelle Mundell 383 9.5 +0.2
UKIP Pearline Hingston 286 7.1 -3.1
Majority 485 12.1 +11.0
Turnout 4023 38.49 -26.22
Labour hold Swing 5.5
Sholing
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sarah Marie Vaughan 1,679 51.8 +10.2
Labour Pat Evemy 910 28.1 -4.2
Liberal Democrats Eileen Margaret Bowers 379 11.7 +7.6
Socialist Alternative - Putting People First Declan Peter Clune 207 6.4 +6.4
Majority 769 23.7 +14.4
Turnout 3241 30.42 -34.14
Conservative hold Swing 7.2
Swaythling
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Matt Bunday 1,023 40.7 +10.1
Conservative Spiros Vassiliou 748 29.7 -1.7
Liberal Democrats Sarah Wood 252 10.0 +0.1
Green Angela Mary Cotton 246 9.8 -2.3
UKIP Alan Kebbell 235 9.3 -4.9
Majority 275 10.9 +10.1
Turnout 2516 29.08 -28.45
Labour gain from Conservative Swing 5.9
Woolston
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Warwick Payne 1,276 42.5 +1.8
Conservative Josh Payne 781 26.0 -4.3
UKIP Derek Humber 448 14.9 -1.7
Green Clive Hillman 284 9.5 +4.4
Liberal Democrats Colin Bleach 194 6.5 +1.1
Majority 495 16.5 +6.1
Turnout 3002 27.93 -29.86
Labour hold Swing 3.1

References
  1. "Local government structure and elections". GOV.UK. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  2. "Election Timetable in England" (PDF).
  3. "Southampton councillor Andrew Pope stands down and Stephen Barnes-Andrews quits as finance chief". Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest. 15 May 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  4. Maria Zaccaro (5 April 2019). "Every candidate in Hampshire's local elections". Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  5. "Dan Fitzhenry says 'Potholes are my priority'". Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  6. William Rimell (20 June 2018). "Independent group on city council to split". Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  7. "Independent councillor Keith Morrell resigns with immediate effect". Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  8. William Rimell (5 January 2019). "Cllr Don Thomas announces plans to step down - hours after former party member quits". Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  9. Andrew Teale. "Previews: 14 Mar 2019". Britain Elects.
  10. "Nominees unveiled for Coxford by-election". Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest.
  11. "Nominees unveiled for Coxford by-election". Southern Daily Echo. Newsquest.
  12. Akehurst, Luke. "What would good local election results in 2019 look like?". LabourList. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  13. Leibowitz, Jonty; McInroy, Neil (25 March 2019). "Beyond Preston: How local wealth building is taking the UK by storm". City Metric. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  14. "Southampton council election rivals both called Payne". BBC News. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  15. "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED" (PDF). Southampton City Council. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  16. "Declaration of Results" (PDF). Southampton City Council. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
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