A Liberal Democrat has won a Shirley ward council seat previously held by Labour in a by-election.
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The by-election came following the resignation from the city council of Labour’s Satvir Kaur after she was elected as the member of parliament for Southampton Test in July.
George Percival was elected to the council with a 479 majority and will serve the remaining term created by the vacancy until May 2027.
The Local Conservatives’ candidate Andrew Hetherton came second with 770 votes, and Labour’s Victoria Ugwoeme third with 764 votes.
It means the Liberal Democrats now have five city councillors, the Conservatives 10, the Greens one, but Labour remain firmly in control of the council with 35 seats.
The full results were:
Maggie Fricker - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Party – 44 votes
Andrew Hetherton - Local Conservatives - 770 votes
Barrie Margetts - Green Party – 241 votes
George Percival - Liberal Democrats – 1249 votes (elected)
Andrew Pope – Independent – 117 votes
Victoria Ugwoeme - Labour Party – 764 votes