Citywide news, views and comments
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Yet more student flats proposed for Portswood
The penny has dropped for both Labour and Green Party councillors after so many local residents over the years have voiced their concerns over the ever increasing student accommodation being provided. Clearly, next May's local elections are not influencing them on this matter.
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Many of these students, or part time residents who do not pay council tax also have two opportunities to vote in elections, in Southampton and in their home town, are now wearing thin, the pateince of long suffering residents.
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Instead of taking over prime city centre property, why cant the university redevelop some of their existing property portfolios from the low rise buildings to high rise buildings? The university has been having its own way in the city, with the help of Labour for too long.
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Given away for £1 and on the market £300k+
Harefield Community Centre
This is just part of the cost of socialism in Southampton. Losing a potential £300,000 from council coffers is unforgivable. Transferred to West Itchen Community Trust in 2020 for £1. The premises have been unused for ten years and is now on the market. The council have confirmed that they will not be buying it back. What a waste of a wonderful and sadly missed facility.
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At one time councils and individual councillors who made irresponsible and costly decisions would be called to account for their actions by the local government ombudsman.
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Next May, we may get the opportunity to vote these characters out of office if the local elections for the local government reorganisation goes ahead.
One of the most important isues facing Britain
The British are a kind and welcoming people to those in real need. The war in Ukraine is a recent example.
The tipping point of the numbers of undocumented young men now being accomadated within communities across the nation is having a serious effect upon the the fabric of society. Costs to accomadate asylum seekers / migrants are spiralling upwards out of control as more arrivals break new records as they step on to British soil. As their numbers grow, the number of reported crimes also grows, especailly those against women and young girls.
In parts of the country, British citizens are either being evicted by landords who are being overpaid to put up migrants or put down housing waiting lists. British people who have worked hard along with those unfortunate to be out of work, can only look on and see the scale of taxpayer funded give aways. The majority view, is that these uninvited guests are economic migrants.
Here in Southampton, local residents, like others around the country, have had enough of being taken advantage of and are protesting peacefully every Friday. Counter protesting by Stand up to racism are also turning up, as they have that right too. Unfortunatley, on Friday 22nd Spetember, one of the protesters with the stand up to racism group, was found to be in possesion of a machete, and arrested by the police. (See photo on the right)
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Who takes a machete to a peaceful protest?
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Britain needs Reform UK and Operation Restoring Justice.
In the hot seat hot seat​
We are often asked what Reform UK Southampton will do for the city. Recently, Chair of Reform UK Southampton Branch, Sam Wright was interviewed by a local journalist, where he was asked and answered the many questions being asked of our party. Just click the button below.
Labour’s failing economic policy platform seems hell bent of spending taxpayer money frivolously on Overseas climate aid [£11.6bn], Net zero Subsidies [+£20bn] and housing Asylum seekers and Illegal Immigrants [£15 billion].
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Shockingly the Chancellor has pushed borrowing up to £17.7bn in May 2025 which was higher than the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projection and UK debt is now ballooning to an astonishing 95.8% of GDP during the 2024/25 financial year. Do also consider that the cost of servicing this debt grows as the confidence in this government falters.
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Indeed, it seems that Southampton City Council is cut from the same cloth as their peers in Westminster as its debts were predicted to exceed £451.5m by March 2025 with net borrowing increasing by £120m. Like in Westminster there is a cost to servicing debt on a local level- less funds to pay for what matters; maintaining roads, public services and adult and child social care. The incoming Local Government Reorganisation will more than likely be a debt consolidation exercise for the indebted Eastleigh and Southampton Councils, promising savings but no additional funding from central government.
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Reform UK’s mission is to ensure the best value for residents and taxpayers and save struggling councils. On a local level we would utilise our own Department Of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) to examine all contracts, partnerships and commitments for savings and waste.
On a more fundamental level we would not waste over £1mil on failed bus gate, £80k on soulless ‘Welcome to Southampton’ signs and probably thousands of pounds implementing and reversing recent 20mph road schemes. We would instead seek and listen to consultations and concerns from residents and approach issues with common sense and demonstrate our devotion to Family, Country and Community.
A car crash called, Labour
The writing is on the wall for Labour at all levels. In particular the far left Labour council and their anti traffic measures in Southampton.
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The price of not listening to local council tax payers has proved expensive where the Portswood bus gate proved to be a disaster and a danger to life.
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This is what happens when left wing political dogma rides roughshod over council tax payers who actually knew better than the council.
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It's why Southampton needs Reform UK Southampton
What’s really happening at Southampton City Council?
The council had to borrow money just to balance the books this year.
Nearly £50 million is set aside for potential pay claims, money that could have been allocated to services.
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Big promises to save money, but progress is slow and risky. If it fails, your council tax could go up or services could be cut.
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Their plan to use AI is moving at a snail’s pace; they won’t use it fully until 2030!
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Because of poor management, people were charged nearly £1 million in early fees by mistake.
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Reform UK Southampton says: Use AI now to cut waste, fix mistakes, and spend your money wisely.
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Southampton deserves better. We need action, not excuses.
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Time for Reform UK
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07.07.2025
Far left Labour council pursues its anti motorist policies of closing down a popular and well used car park in Amoy Street, near Bedford Place. The council seems hellbent on discouraging visitors and business in to the city through such draconian policies. Not everyone is able to use public transport because it is not always convenient, especially for those with young families, a disability or the timing of public transport is not conducive for appointments.
Reform UK will reverse anti motorist polices to get Southampton moving, open and ready to do business once again.
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28.06.25
Members meeting
Reform UK Southampton held a well attended branch meeting in Woolston on Wednesday 25th June. Informative presentations were held on the current state of polling and what work is to be done to improve those figures. Net Zero and the proven, disastourous effects it is having overall on individuals and the economy was also brought to members attention. The next campaigning event is scheduled for July.
If members have not recieved advisory emails regarding party activities, please contact southamptoncity@reformuk.com
Labour isn't working
The true state of Southampton City under Labour. This is what they won't talk about. The real issues affecting you, the taxpayer, the voters, the people of Southampton.
Reform UK will make it a priority to clean up our city and free up the road network in order to make Southampton a great pleace to live and work in again.
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Labour capitulates and does a U turn.
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The Portswood Bus Gate trial has been cancelled.
All it took were public protests, the largest petition in Southampton City Council history and objections from local business.
It was clear before the trial started that this was doomed to fail with consultations being overwhelmingly negative.
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The just over, £1million wasted on this could and should have been spent elsewhere fixing our roads and improving infrastructure.
You can prevent this kind of mess from happening again by voting for Reform UK Southampton or consider becoming a candidate for next May's city council elections.
Victory in Europe - 80 years on
We at Reform UK Southampton sincerley hope that you can be part of or join in this historic week of remembrance. There are many organised events to choose from. Or maybe you prefer the quiet solitude, or perhaps raise a glass with family and close friends.
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A grateful nation is thankful for the sacrifice that our greatest generation made to secure peace from the threat of Nazi Germany.
Thank you for your service. May your god bless you.
The statement from both of the city's MP's, that devolution could unlock Southampton's potential, is tantamount to a confession, that the far left Labour city council has failed both domestic and business council taxpayers.
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Instead of 'unlocking the city's potentail', both of these MP's, Satvir Kaur in particular, were hell bent on trying to win the city of culture award, while the city's finances were hitting rock bottom.
You are all going to hear a lot more on devolution matters, where the govt are creating a joint authority that will cover Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire. There is talk of including the Isle of Wight too.
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Reform UK Southampton will keep you advised as information becomes available. Meanwhile, if you have an opinion over devolution, we would like to read it. Please use the contact page message facility.
The public sector gravy train or merry go round of being paid off for failing to do your job properly will stop under Reform UK.
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The willful waste of council taxpayers money was once seen as a crime that triggered investigation and subsequent surcharges on those councillors in question. The last CEO of Southampton City Council got a £75k golden handshake for being too ill to do his job.
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Where Reform UK win power at the local elections, auditors will be brought in to examine the accounts.
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Have you asked, "why hasnt this been happening before now?"
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Reform UK are pleased to announce the formation of a single branch to operate within The City of Southampton.
The decision was taken by the membership. The pooling of resources means that our campaign teams will be better equipped, funded and managed for the coming political battles that lay ahead.
Sam Wright
Southampton Branch Chair