Reform UK Southampton
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Urban Parish Councils
A proposal has emerged from Labour-led Southampton City Council to introduce urban parish councils within the city. For some, a parish council conjures up a green and pleasant leafy countryside scene, perhaps from a Constable painting.
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At this same time, the current proposals for local government reorganisation appear stalled and remain in flux. Against this backdrop, the idea of creating parish councils for Southampton has been floated. This raises an obvious question: why does Labour want to increase political interference and bureaucracy, particularly when such changes would inevitably cost residents more in council tax?
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Under the reorganisation proposals, the existing Southampton council tax would be replaced by a new council tax levied by a merged authority covering Southampton, Eastleigh, and parts of the New Forest and Test Valley, should the plan proceed. On top of this, there would also be a mayoral authority precept. If parish councils were then established across the city, residents would almost certainly face an additional parish precept.
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Do residents really want to pay more for additional layers of local government, more public servants, and further elections, especially when the costs have yet to be fully finalised or clearly explained? Labour appears to believe that changes of this scale can be introduced without directly asking voters for their consent, relying instead on consultation exercises.
A referendum should at least have been considered, but only after a fully costed and finalised plan had been published for public scrutiny.
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Unfortunately, Labour has a track record of favouring consultations over referendums, particularly when there is a risk that voters might not deliver the outcome they want.
Do you want more interfering socialism?
A proposal has come out of the city council for the setting up of 'parish councils' within our city. The current proposals for the local government reorganisation are floundering and are likely to be in a state of flux for sometime. Now this parish council idea has emerged, you have to ask why do Labour want to increase the amount of interference and bureaucracy? These proposed changes to local government will cost you more in council tax.
For instance instead of the current city council, it will be replaced by the new combined council tax from the merging of Southampton, Eastleigh, parts of The New Forest and Test Valley B.C. Then there will be the new mayoral authority precept. If the parish council proposals for the whole city come about, we can all expect an additional precept for that too.
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Do you really want to pay more for additional local officialdom and elections where costs still have not yet been finalised? Tell us your thoughts via the Contact Page.
Standing with our farmers
Under fire Hampshire farmers brought a convey of tractors to Southampton to raise awareness over the budget and to also protest against the Labour government's policy's and there impact on the future of British farming. In particular, the changes to inheritance tax. Its rather ironic that the country have just come through the annual period of remembrance where during WW2, farmers were one of the most important assets that not only fed the nation but helped bring about victory.
What a difference now where they are vilified by Labour's policies that are forcing farming businesses to close down and in some cases, fuelling suicide by farmers because they cannot see no hope for their future. What has our country come to! Support our farmers, buy British produce where you can, before its too late.
Monkeying around with local government
Our preparations continue for next May's local elections. There will be an election for the Hampshire & Solent Mayor along with city council elections. It must be noted that there still has not been any official announcement that the city elections will go ahead, despite the leader of the council saying that Labour are preparing for next May.
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The local government reorganisation that will see Southampton and Eastleigh councils, along with parts of the New Forest and Test Valley merged, (of course, this may change) will not be finalised until next year, possibly February after the latest consultation is complete with taxpayers comments included in the report to the respective councils and government.
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Meanwhile your local Reform UK Southampton branch is still receiving applications, which should be from party members only.​​
High demand for housing in city is not being met
With 8,000 +/- on the housing waiting list, the failures of the Labour run Southampton city council are there for all to see.
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What value is the 'pride in place' cash injection from their government pals, to gloss over their failures, over the upkeep of the city.
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What value is the city of culture award when so many people are in need of a home?
Yet, Labour councillors turn up outside the Highfield House Hotel to support illegal migrants who are staying there at the taxpayers expense while local people go without. Just who's side are Labour on?
End sanctuary schools
By Sam Wright - Southampton Branch Chair.
Reform UK’s Southampton branch has called for an immediate halt to the ‘Schools of Sanctuary’ scheme in the city, claiming that schools are being used as platforms to promote political ideologies rather than focusing on core education.
Sam Wright, spokesperson for Reform UK Southampton, argues that what were once institutions for teaching essential skills and culture have become, in his view, “political battlegrounds.” Wright reflects on his own school experience, saying, “The preaching of globalist liberal ideologies such as Net Zero and DEI were front and centre. Indeed, I remember the ostracising and visceral disdain for the minority who dared question such panaceas.”
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He voiced concern over what he describes as the growing encroachment of politics within primary and secondary schools. Of particular concern, he says, is the influence of charities, unions, and NGOs, which Wright claims are “spreading ideology as fact and reason.” He singled out the charity ‘City of Sanctuary’, which he says is linked to at least ten ‘Schools of Sanctuary’ in Southampton.
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City of Sanctuary describes its mission as “building a movement of welcome across the UK.” While Wright acknowledges that support for genuine asylum seekers and refugees is a noble goal, he argues that the initiative goes much further. He points to the programme’s encouragement for schools to “challenge misconceptions about people seeking sanctuary” and to “connect and collaborate with local charities, organisations and institutions, and community groups to grow and strengthen our shared movement of welcome and solidarity with people seeking safety.”
Wright warns: “Be under no illusion—the perpetuation and indoctrination of a biased open borders and DEI ideology to impressionable children without balance or nuance is insidiously wrong and undemocratic. Especially consider the distinction between mostly fighting-age, male illegal migrants making crossings over the channel on small boats, the abuse and overstaying of visas and the false asylum claimants, all of whom should be labelled as ‘economic migrants’.”
Reform UK Southampton concludes with a clear message: “Get politics out of children’s schools and back to teaching English and Maths.”
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This article first appeared in southamptontimes.co.uk 19.10.25
When it's not cool to be a Conservative
When it's no longer cool to be called, a Conservative club, just change the name. Is that the same as a leopard changing it's spots?
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That's what the Bitterne Conservative Club in Southampton has done.
While we're here, it's no longer cool to be called, a Labour supporter or a socialist. Yet again, opinion polling sees Reform UK maintain their lead amongst the general population for voting intention.
Council to spend millions on temporary housing
The Labour (badly) run city council is to borrow £3 million to go towards purchasing emergency accommodation on the open market. While we cannot criticise efforts to combat homelessness, it's a fact that over preceding years, social housing provision and maintenance has been woefully mismanaged by this council.
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Meanwhile, the council has given the go ahead to a developer, for luxury student accommodation to be provided in Hearth House, Hulse Road.
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Meanwhile, local Southampton residents can only look on at yet another development of student flats along while illegal migrants are put up in the 4 star, Highfield House Hotel. Couple this with the council's terrible record in housing, that now includes includes a recent record low start, of a total of ten homes.
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The prospect of housing being transferred to the proposed mayoral authority must bring a sigh of relief from the Labour city council along with trepidation from tenants wondering what the future will hold for them.
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
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?"