Lib Dems 'main opposition' on city council after election success

Thomas Gravatt took a seat away from Labour as he was elected in Swaythling - taking their overall tally to four councillors.

Speaking after his win was announced to a cheering Lib Dem group, he told the Echo that the party now sees itself as the main opposition to Labour. 

Thomas Gravatt from the Lib Dems (Image: Stuart Martin Photography)

He said: "Thank you to everyone who voted for me. It’s a real honour to have received so many votes.

"I think this result does show the strength of feeling in the Swaythling ward about the state of the council and the way Labour is running the council.

"There’s a lot of upset about the financial mismanagement, the lack of budgetary rigour that has led to cuts to children’s services, to the street lights being turned off and a general lack of investment.

"It also reflects the incredible hard work of the Lib Dem team who are really holding the council to account.

"We view our role in this city now as being the main opposition to the Labour Party.

"The Conservatives are not doing well in this city, their vote has collapsed a lot in the last few years and it’s really clear that we need strong opposition to the Labour authority."

READ MORE: Southampton City Council elections 2024: Full list of results

However, the Conservatives did win one new seat in Woolston - taking it from Labour.

The new political make-up of the council is 36 Labour councillors, 10 Conservative, four Liberal Democrat and one Green.

Labour took back a seat in Bitterne Park from an independent councillor.

The result means that Labour loses two seats but keeps a majority of 11, whilst the Tories and Lib Dems gain one seat each. 

Green maintains its single seat in Portswood, as the seat of party-leader Cllr Katherine Barbour was not in contention - but the other seat in the ward was hotly fought, with Greens coming second.