AS the Labour group began to reflect on their massive losses fallen leader June Bridle was still maintaining her silence.

Her surviving lieutenants were beginning to jostle for position in a leadership contest that will be put to the vote at a party meeting on May 12.

Labour deputy leader Councillor Jacqui Rayment confirmed she was "contemplating" standing but was quick to pay tribute to Cllr Bridle.

She said: "June has been an excellent ward councillor for the last 13 years. It is a devastating loss to Southampton Labour to lose someone of her standing. "She has always been someone that not just led us but supported us in our different activities. She is a caring lady who is committed to Southampton."

Cabinet member for education Councillor Matt Stevens said: "I have always had ambitions for leadership."

He added: "The party has to retreat to lick its wounds. None of us expected the wholesale defeat we suffered. It's time to sit back and take stock."

Another likely front runner, Cabinet member for environment, Councillor Richard Williams, who narrowly held his seat in Woolston was also unavailable for comment Labour party chairman Keith Morrell, who failed to win a seat in Coxford, insisted: "We are determined that in the next election in two years time we will make a good fight and we will return to the city council."

"Southampton Labour is very united and we fought a good campaign. We are in a strong position to fight back."

Liberal Democrats are expected to consider their leadership at their AGM today.

Lib Dem deputy leader Councillor Jill Baston refused to rule herself out of the running although is understood likely to stand. Speaking publicly for the first time since he lost his Portswood seat to the Tories, Lib Dem group leader Councillor Adrian Vinson said: "Obviously I'm disappointed not just personal ly but for other very able colleagues who were not elected on Thursday."

But he offered no predictions on leadership.

"Whoever is chosen will robustly challenge the rash commitments that the Conservatives had already made."

He conceded that the joint Labour and Lib Dem agreement played a part in Thursday's results.

He added: "Clearly the electorate has given its verdict and we have to accept that and work in the light of that."