Southampton local elections 2023: Polling day live updates

Thank you for following our live blog.

Polls in the other 16 wards are open until 10pm.

Ballot boxes will then be taken to the Civic Centre where votes will be verified.

Counting will start at 9.30am tomorrow.

We will bring you live updates from the count.

'Sad and shocking'

Labour leader, Satvir Kaur, said: "It is very sad and shocking to hear the news of Cllr Galton’s sudden passing. Graham was friendly, hard-working and dedicated.

"The entire Labour Party in Southampton send our deepest condolences to his family and friends, particularly his wife, Cllr Diana Galton and his son, former councillor Steve Galton."

MP's tribute

MP for Southampton Itchen, Royston Smith, said: "I knew Graham well. I knew him as a dedicated councillor, and hard worker for his residents. Much more than that though, I knew him as a family man, a fine husband, and a good father.

"My thoughts are with Graham’s wife, Diana, and Graham‘s family, particularly his son Steve. I know they will all be finding this tragic news unbearable." 

Tributes come in

Cllr Daniel Fitzhenry, Leader of the Conservative Group on Southampton City Council said: "We are deeply, deeply saddened by Graham’s sudden death this morning.

"Graham was a true gentleman, an incredibly kind, warm and friendly man, who many people got on with and he loved to take the time to talk with anyone.

"I have had the pleasure of spending lots of fun times with Graham over the past few weeks during this election period, witnessing and feeling his humour and willingness to help others.

"Graham loved his family deeply and supported our wider team continually in all he did. We recently had so many laughs together. I shall greatly miss him and I know our team will too.

"Graham was committed to his role as a councillor for Millbrook and was excited about standing for election today in the Coxford ward.

"He thoroughly enjoyed his role on the council's licensing committee, bringing his rational, pragmatic and loving personality into play to solve problems and ensure high-quality standards.

"There are people who light up a room with joy and warmth when you see them, and Graham was one of them.

"It’s a very, very sad day for our team and our thoughts, love and affection go to Diana his wife, Steve his son and their wider family.

"We will miss you Graham so very much and will remember you and that smile of yours forever more."

Mr Galton's wife Diana was also standing as a Conservative candidate in Coxford while his son Steven is a candidate in Millbrook.

The election in the other 16 wards will go ahead and polling stations remain open.

Candidate dies

Graham Galton, a Conservative candidate for Coxford, has died, the council has just confirmed.

It means the election for the Coxford ward won't be going ahead and polling stations there have been closed.

A council spokesperson said: "The law provides that where proof of death of a candidate is delivered to the Returning Officer after polls have opened, but before the declaration of result, the poll must be abandoned, and a new election must be held for that ward.

"Therefore, the Returning Officer has closed all the polling stations in Coxford ward and voters should not go to these locations, which are:

• Zoe Braithwaite Centre, Fraser Close
• Lordswood Community Centre (Small Hall), Sandpiper Road
• St Vincent De Paul RC Church (Hall Centre Section), Coxford Road
• Lordshill Community Centre (Small Hall), Cromarty Road
• Kinloss Court (Communal Lounge), Northolt Gardens
• Scout HQ (Main Hall), Aldermoor Road
• Coxford Community Centre (Main Hall), Olive Road"

A new poll will be held within 35 working days.

In a video posted on Facebook, Conservative candidate for Shirley, Andrew Hetherton, vowed to stand up for local residents.

He said: "We really want to make a difference for Shirley, to stand up for local residents, to keep council tax low, to put the street lights back on and fix those roads, pavements and potholes."

Storm Trooper is also voting in Southampton today.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by William Hoof Roberts (@justwilliam46)

Many polling stations have been fairly quiet so far but at Central Baptist Church in the Polygon ward there was a small queue of residents looking to cast their vote before work. 

At Central Baptist Church in the Polygon this morning, I’m told there was even a little queue this morning as local residents rushed out to #vote before rush hour / work! pic.twitter.com/LY4Tm5ZxHD

— Jose Ramos (@Journo_Jose) May 4, 2023

Eastleigh residents are also heading to the polls today.

You can find a full list of candidates standing in Eastleigh here.

Our reporter Jose Ramos is at the Central Hall polling station in St Mary's Street.

Southampton Local Election 🧵

I’m here at Central Hall on St Mary’s Street where people have been coming in to vote. @dailyecho pic.twitter.com/Z1mnoqxydB

— Jose Ramos (@Journo_Jose) May 4, 2023

'Hard night' for Conservatives

Polls have opened across England, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak set to face his first major electoral test since entering No10 just over six months ago.

The Prime Minister predicted a “hard night” for his party at the local elections, but said that the Conservatives were now moving away from “box set drama” politics.

The local elections are also likely to be the final set of polls before the next general election, with the results expected to give an indication of whether Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer could be on course for Downing Street.

Meanwhile, Labour leader, Satvir Kaur tweeted a picture of herself with the caption: "It’s ELECTION DAY everyone and polls are now OPEN! Don’t forget to vote today - why not go this morning before work?"

It’s ELECTION DAY everyone and polls are now OPEN! 🙌

Don’t forget to vote today - why not go this morning before work?#VoteLabour 🗳️#VoteTHREEtimes 🌹🌹🌹#TakePhotoID 📸 pic.twitter.com/oski9gJasY

— Satvir Kaur (@LabourSatvir) May 4, 2023

Southampton Conservative leader, Dan Fitzhenry, has been out talking to residents in the Thornhill ward.

Three seats are up for election in all 17 wards across the city.

Some 199 candidates will be fighting to be named a councillor.

Ahead of the election, Labour had 26 elected councillors, Conservatives had 20, one from Liberal Democrats and one independent.

Find out what is at stake in this election here.

This election is notable for being the first one where residents will be asked to carry photo ID with them in order to cast their vote.

This is also an important election as all the seats are up for grabs across the 17 wards of Southampton.

Click here to find what to expect from the elections this year.

For residents unsure where their nearest polling station is, they can visit the council's website, type in their postcode and find out where they can go.

Don’t forget to vote today in #SotonElections2023. Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.

📍 Find your local polling station here: https://t.co/rZuaGhwa9k

Please bring a form of photo voter ID with you. pic.twitter.com/wUJw45me4m

— SouthamptonCC (@SouthamptonCC) May 4, 2023

Good morning.

Polling stations are open across the city for Southampton's local elections.

We will be bringing you all the latest as residents head to the polls.