Election 2022: Conservatives lose seats in Southampton and Portsmouth
The Conservatives have lost control of Southampton City Council in a difficult election night for the party
Last updated 6th May 2022
Labour has taken control of Southampton City Council in the local elections, booting out the Conservatives after just a year in charge.
The party now has 26 seats with the Tories on 21.
Southampton's Conservative MP Royston Smith blamed the result on the cost of living crisis and urged the Prime Minister to do more.
"We need to address the things that worry people and matter to them.
"Whatever levers we have as government we need to deploy to ensure we deal with the cost of living and make sure that people can at least put food on their table and heat their houses."
Southampton also has its first Lib Dem councillor in almost 10 years.
Conservatives disappointed at losses in Portsmouth
The Liberal Democrats strengthened their grip on Portsmouth City Council, but it remains under no overall control.
The Lib Democrats, Labour and Portsmouth Independents all capitalised on voter resentment towards Boris Johnson, making gains in wards across the city.
Of the 14 seats up for grabs, the Lib Dems and Labour claimed five each, with two going to the Portsmouth Independents and another two to the Conservatives.
Conservative politicians say the partygate scandal is to blame for their misfortune at the polls.
Cllr Simon Bosher, the Conservative leader in Portsmouth, said: "It’s been a disappointing evening and we’ve lost some very good councillors who have served their wards with distinction.
"We’ve seen a degree of voter frustration because of what’s happened in Westminster and if things don’t change we’ll find ourselves in the exact same position in next year’s elections."
Fareham remains a Conservative hold and the Lib Dems remain in charge of Eastleigh.
We are still awaiting results from Winchester, Gosport and Havant.