Meet the candidates in Southampton City Council's Shirley by-election

Satvir Kaur’s decision to step down as a councillor in late August has triggered the by-election.

Labour’s Ms Kaur, who previously led the local authority, announced the move less than two months after she was elected MP for Southampton Test.

The Shirley ward by-election takes place on Thursday, October 10.

Six candidates are standing, with representatives for Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Green and Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, as well as an independent nominee.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted all of the candidates and asked them to provide a 100-word profile on why Shirley residents should vote for them.

Maggie Fricker – Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

Maggie Fricker

The Tories were punished for 14 years of cuts. Starmer’s Labour continues Tory cuts: keeping the child benefit cap and cutting the winter fuel allowance. We need a socialist on the council for Shirley who will refuse to vote for cuts. The council spends £9 million of our money on cuts consultants. We demand the council takes action by delivering free school meals and providing grants to pensioners hit by the cut in winter fuel allowance. The council should send Starmer the bill. Come to our meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 7.30pm at Shirley Warren Action Church, SO16 2AY.

Andrew Hetherton – Local Conservatives

Andrew Hetherton

I have narrowly missed out on becoming a Shirley councillor five times, always coming second to Labour.

I am determined to represent my neighbours on local issues. Whether it’s the impact of parking in residential areas, the implementation of 20mph zones on residential roads (not on routes like Hill Lane), addressing littering, fly-tipping, and reducing congestion.

As a chartered surveyor, I’ve worked with businesses in Southampton and clients across the UK. That experience makes me the ideal candidate to help the council decisions with the city’s property assets work better for the people of the city.

Barrie Margetts – Green Party

Barrie Margetts (Image: Newsquest) My previous roles within the city include being a councillor for Coxford ward, where I championed Southampton as a Right to Food City and chaired a health overview scrutiny committee.

I am driven to support residents of Shirley, focusing on youth service provision, recycling, reducing antisocial behaviour, improving transport systems, cycle paths and pavements.

The Labour council propose to spend £9m on a consultancy firm to suggest ‘£42m savings’ to services already buckling at the weight of successive cuts and neglect. Where do they expect to find millions of pounds of savings from, without cuts?

George Percival – Liberal Democrats

I’m standing to be your local councillor because I love Shirley and — like you — I’m frustrated with the council’s waste and inaction.

Our parks, social housing, and roads are deteriorating while money is spent in less urgent areas. As a Southampton firefighter and Shirley resident, I’ve seen the impact of these cuts first-hand.

For years now, I’ve been lobbying the council to deliver its promised projects, improve bus services, and tackle housing concerns.

As your councillor, I will always be available to listen to your concerns and ideas. Together, we can create the change Shirley wants and needs.

Andrew Pope – Independent

Andrew Pope I have eight years’ experience as a city councillor for the Redbridge ward. Shirley is my home and I run my business here. I listen to the public as a professional interviewer for government surveys on the NHS, education, transport and housing.

I have a proven track record of delivery for Southampton residents, including winning the safe standing campaign at St Mary’s Stadium, forcing the council to install sprinklers in its tower blocks and gaining compensation from power companies for hundreds of residents.

As I have always done, I listen to residents. I act with residents. I get results.

Victoria Ugwoeme – Labour Party

Victoria Ugwoeme

I believe passionately that councillors should serve residents and work to improve people’s lives. Speaking to families in Shirley, I know the problems people face and will work to ensure they are heard. It’s this drive to serve the community that led me to set up a food bank and help the poorest in our city get by. It’s also the motivation behind the school holiday activity clubs I run for local children.

As your councillor, I will work hard to make Shirley and Southampton a better place to live and work, and to be a safer, cleaner, greener place.