Portsmouth Labour made progress towards taking back control of the city council this week, following a series of successful results across the city.

Labour candidates were elected in Fratton, Central Southsea and St Jude wards, with the share of the vote up +12% according to analysis by the BBC.

The party also did well, but did not win, in a number of other wards across the city, narrowly losing in Paulsgrove, beating the Lib Dems to second place in Eastney and Craneswater and helping to make St Thomas ward a three-way marginal for further local elections next year.

In St Jude, Cllr Judith Smyth made history being the first ever Labour councillor for the ward following Stephen Morgan’s historic general election victory in the constituency last year. George Fielding unseated the longstanding Lib Dem councillor overturning a significant majority, whilst local man Tom Coles took the seat for Labour in Fratton.

The Labour Group is now five strong with Cllrs Smyth, Fielding and Coles joining Cllr Yahiya Chowdhury and Cllr Stephen Morgan MP.

Stephen Morgan MP said:

“This year’s local elections for us were about demonstrating we could build on the historic win in Portsmouth South at last year’s general election.

I am over the moon we have taken seats from both the Tories and Lib Dems by offering a credible alternative to their running of the city over the years.

I look forward to working with the team to deliver on the promises we made on the doorstep and taking action to build a fairer city which works for everyone”.

Cllr George Fielding, Central Southsea ward councillor, said:

“These elections were an opportunity to tell the Tories and Lib Dems that they have ran the city for too long.

We ran a positive campaign across the whole city offering residents a plan which would ensure a team who would stand up for our schools, our police and help protect local services.

I’m delighted the people of Central Southsea have put their trust in me and other new Labour councillors”.