Ward councillor Phil Webb has confirmed he’s been re-selected for Labour in the May local elections, in what looks like being a particularly unpredictable contest.
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Alongside a light-hearted Facebook reel charting highlights of his time as a councillor, Webb explained some of the drivers motivating him to originally stand in 2023.
He said these included “frustration at 13 years of Conservative government, a feeling that our local Tory councillors were anonymous, and the opportunity that boundary changes and all-out elections created”.
“I also wanted to see more people like me — representative of young families — involved in decision-making for our community,” he added.
In a long run-down of achievements during his term in office, Webb included “championing the Townhill Park regeneration programme”, “standing up” for community assets like Cobbett Road Library, supporting volunteers and schools and taking on wider responsibilities within the council.
The race looks highly unpredictable, with the vote likely to split across several candidates. Labour’s Gordon Cooper won the ward just 89 votes ahead of former Conservative councillor David Fuller in the last local election – with Fuller likely to stand again.
Reform UK could benefit from national momentum, while the Liberal Democrats may gain ground through the candidacy of former Labour councillor Tony Bunday.
With low turnout likely, the combination of Bunday’s personal following and protest-minded Reform voters could mean even small shifts in loyalty may decide the result on May 7.
The official candidate list is expected to be published after April 9.
• Listen to our audio interview, ‘Inside life as a Bitterne Park councillor’ with Cllr Phil Webb, on digest+. Recorded last summer, it aims to offer a frank, non-partisan look at life in local office.
Photo: Supplied