Residents of Redbridge Ward Say Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network THIS THURSDAY 7am to 10pm on 7th May!

 

 

Andrew Pope - Independent Network at Millbrook Towers
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

Jan, a new supporter says:

"I’d like to say a few words to everyone about both Andrew and the Independent Network. Andrew does his best to get everyone’s problems sorted as best he can. He is a great support for us the working people."

Ken, who has been a supporter of Andrew for 10 years, says:

"I will vote for Andrew and support him because of what he has done to protect our parks at Five Acres, Mansel Park and Green Park. He stands up against those who want to take it away from the public."

Jean, a new supporter, says: 

"I had problems with vermin and dog faeces in a neighbour's council garden.
I had complained before to the Council but nothing got done.
Worse than that, the man was angry with me. I am an old lady who is not mobile.
A week after I contacted Andrew, it was cleared up. 
Andrew got it done. It took 3 people six or seven hours.
Good luck to Andrew. I will be voting for him."

Stuart, a new supporter, says:

"I recently met Andrew Pope and found him to be a likeable, trustworthy and dedicated public servant who genuinely wants to support his constituents. 
He previously helped our street by standing with the local community against proposed warehouse development, and although the project ultimately went ahead, his effort and advocacy were clearly appreciated.

 

More endorsers of Andrew Pope are below. 

Andrew Pope is standing to be re-elected to the Redbridge ward that he represented for eight years between 2011 and 2019 - first with Labour, then as an Independent when he quit Labour  in disgust at what they were doing to the people of the area. 

Andrew was the first Southampton Independents councillor. He co-founded Southampton Independents with Denise Wyatt and other local residents and supporters.

Those supporters are still supporting Andrew. They endorse and recommend Andrew to be re-elected. Andrew has worked very hard for the area and is known for getting things done over many years.

And because of his recent hard work, Andrew has new supporters.

As quoted on Andrew's election address, residents of Millbrook, Maybush and Redbridge say: 

"Andrew Pope stands up for our area. Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network on the 7th May because he isn't told what to do by political parties. Andrew is Putting You First. Only Andrew Pope can beat Labour here. Enough is enough. Help him to help you and yours."

These are the words of local residents, which they have agreed to be used on our website, on our letters and leaflets, and on all social media. 

More endorsements are below.

You will see their support in the form of election boards which supporters agree to be put up, because they support Andrew Pope Independent to be the Independent councillor for Redbridge again. 

Andrew is self-funded. He pays for his leaflets, letters and election boards. He does it because he cares about the people of Redbridge. His priorities are determined by many conversations with residents.

 

Andrew Pope with Election Board in Redbridge
Photo: Southampton Independents (AP)

 

More Endorsers 

John has supported Andrew since 2016, but had previously stopped voting because he says political parties are all useless and the same, says:

 "Unlike most councillors, who owe their allegiance to one political party or another Andrew Pope, as an independent, can and does work for the people who elect him. 

We need him to be our councillor again. If he stands, I will be voting for him. You should too. 

When Andrew Pope was our local councillor, of the three councillors we had, he was the one who got things done. 

When the residents had a problem with the roadside trees not being maintained, Andrew got that sorted. 

When I had a problem with the council tax band my home was in, Andrew came to my house and helped me to get the council tax band lowered. I can't see many other councillors doing that.”

Wayne, who has been a supporter of Andrew for a decade, says:

"Andrew stands up for the area, and is not told what to do by political parties.
He is here as a representative of the people and the area.
That's what a councillor should be.
Andrew is that."

 

Andrew at Five Acres
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network on 7th May
Image: Independent Network

 

 

EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATION: AI Chatbot Conning Voters - Andrew Pope Uncovers Evidence of Misleading Southampton Election Information by an AI Chatbot

 

Andrew Pope Independent Network Candidate for Redbridge Ward

 

 

BREAKING: From intelligence given to him by voters when he was canvassing for votes and delivering leaflets to voters in the Redbridge ward election, Candidate Andrew Pope has confirmed that an AI Chatbot has been giving out misleading information about the Southampton City Council elections...

 

Andrew has reported it to the Returning Officer and to the Electoral Commission, for info and urgent action. He has provided the evidence that he confirmed by checking. And he has informed the Police's Operation Ford.

 

We urge you to cross-check the information you have received about the election. 

Please read our leaflets and letters delivered to your address. 

And the information on this website and on our social media. They all contain the truth and an imprint that shows that we are accountable for what we say and print.

 

The Dola AI chatbot in question is not accountable. 

The AI chatbot has made serious errors.

The AI chatbot has no imprint. 

There is nobody to complain to at Dola, it seems. 

AI chatbots seem to be able to intervene in these elections without any regulation whatsoever. 

 

Andrew says: 

 

 

 

"It's very, very concerning. I am furious about this - not just about my election, but also because I am a Computer Scientist and my business PopeyMon is a tech business. 

I am a Member of tbe British Computer Society and we have a Code of Conduct. Obviously those responsible don't have standards.

The regulators and authorities are not stopping the AI chatbots from spreading lies about the election. I've asked them to intervene firmly and urgently.

I am working very hard to get elected, and I know from my hard work that many voters are backing me and putting up election posters and boards, but voters are being misled by this so-called "AI".

It has to stop NOW, but postal voters have already cast their ballots with this misleading information out there. It's very worrying."

 

Contact us if you are not sure, or want to ask questions. 

 

Here is some of the fake news that Andrew found.

For Redbridge ward: 

 

AI ChatBot Fails to Give Accurate Information on Redbridge 2026 Candidates
for Southampton City Council

Image: Southampton Independents (AP) 

 

AI ChatBot FAIL 1. Andrew Pope's candidacy for the Independent Network is completely missing from the list.  

AI ChatBot FAIL 2. In the Redbridge ward that Andrew is standing in, it states that sacked Labour councillor Lee Whitbread is standing. 

As reported exclusively by Southampton Independents - weeks before other local media caught up - from information that Andrew obtained from various sources, Lee Whitbread was sacked by Labour. 

Another candidate was chosen by Labour, someone with no experience and no name recognition on the doorstep or in the area - again, as confirmed by us. They are not shown on the list.

AI ChatBot FAIL 3. When asked who the candidates are, it displays completely incorrect information and shows photos of some random people from the Internet.

 

For Bevois ward:  

AI Chatbot Giving Out Almost Totally Wrong Information on Election Candidates
in Southampton City Council elections 2026
Image: Southampton Independents (AP)

AI Chatbot FAIL 4. Only ONE of the candidates in the Bevois ward is correct. The rest have wrong names, wrong candidates or wrong parties, or candidates are missing. 

The AI Chatbot ALMOST COMPLETELY GETS IT WRONG. It is wrong in so many ways as to be totally untrustworthy.

 

We say again, there are strict laws and regulations around election communications, and so there should be.

Yet somehow an AI chatbot can turn up and put out fake and misleading information just days before the Southampton City Council elections. And the authorities have not stopped it.

We have told the Southampton Returning Officer and the Electoral Commission. And the Police's Operation Ford. 

How much will this affect the elections?

We ask people to check the sources of information and to check your sources. 

Our website contains quality information and an imprint, as does all of our election material and social media. 

We stick to the Independent Network's Martin Bell principles to keep local people informed and look after local people. The big parties look after themselves and Westminster. 

 

The OFFICIAL list of candidates for all wards is published by the Southampton Returning Officer Jillian Kay at Southampton City Council. It is at the link here. 

 

 

EXCLUSIVE: Residents at Labour-run Council Pensioner Block Allege Health and Safety Breaches By Council's Contractors

 

Labour-run Council Fails To Protect Pensioners

Labour-run Southampton City Council has faced allegations of health and safety breaches from residents of Rozel Court. The allegations relate to a lack of management of contractors working at the site. 

Independent Network Redbridge Ward candidate for the 7th May elections, Andrew Pope, has acted to help residents.

Rozel Court is two large blocks of pensioners and vulnerable people in the Channel Islands Estate in the north-west of our City.

Andrew says:

 

Andrew Pope with Election Board for Redbridge Ward
Image: Southampton Independents (SC)

 

"I was contacted after residents read my letters and leaflets that I had delivered to both blocks.

I started to investigate the allegations and spoke with several residents at Rozel Court. With a local resident, I delivered a letter to all flats to listen to residents' concerns.

The Police were involved in some of the allegations. I was quite concerned. These are elderly residents feeling at risk. It's not right.

I also spoke with Council officers from different departments, and the contractors on site.

I expressed my disappointment at some attempts to pass the buck. As a campaigner over 20 years, I take a very dim view of buck-passing and have ways of dealing with it. Officers of the Council know this and the contractors found this out very quickly.

As I was trained to do many years ago, I cross-checked the allegations made and tried to get all sides to the situation. That is fair to all sides and natural justice in our country.

I now have a clearer picture of the situation and am now pressuring the Council officers to improve the situation for residents. 

I am getting some co-operation from officers and the contractors now.

I will continue to do so, until I feel that residents' concerns are addressed.

Many Council residents complain that the Council does everything online and does not respond.

So to show how it can be done better than the Council, I printed my updates and with Southampton Independents colleagues, delivered an update by hand to residents.  

If elected on 7th May, I will have more powers to do so. Please vote for me and encourage everyone else who has a vote in Redbridge Ward to vote for me too."

 

 

 

Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network for Redbridge Ward 7th May 2026

   

Andrew Pope at Mansel Park and Millbrook Towers
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

Note: This article is also a page, as well as a post.

Former Redbridge Independent Councillor Andrew Pope has announced that he is standing in the 7th May 2026 local election.

Andrew says:

"It's so good to be back where I belong. I know the area very well and the people so well. And they know me. They are encouraging me to stand in Redbridge, because they've had enough of Labour and do not want Reform. So I'm doing this!

It was an absolute pleasure chatting with people and delivering my letters while I did my March the Month with Prostate Cancer UK in the area. I walked 341,000 steps, or 175 miles, over the month and have raised over £300 for the charity.

 

Andrew Pope at Five Acres Recreation Ground
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

  

People say that they've had enough of Labour and the Tories. I coined the phrase Labour or Tory, same old story. Now people say it back to me on the doorstep and in the streets.

They supported us independents before in their hundreds - almost a thousand votes last time we stood. 

 

We doubled our vote last time to 982 votes
Image: Southampton Independents (AP)

  

And as our team at the count knows, I did very well in Redbridge ward when I stood in the General Election and beat the other independent from Coxford.

This time we need to win and to get over the line. Together, we can do it!

With council tax being put up and up, residents do not feel that things have improved under Labour for the last 14 years and they definitely don't feel they get value for money from the Labour-run Council.

Constant bin chaos, dangerous roads and perilous pavements, financial mismanagement of public funds and three Labour MPs on the South Coast taking £30,000 from a convicted criminal, including Southampton's Satvir Kaur MP. The Labour Government has failed like the Tories before.

 

Labour have failed!
Image: Southampton Independents (AP)

 

And Labour has just sacked its own Redbridge councillor, Lee Whitbread, who was due to stand in May. I tried to warn Labour about him but they preferred to cover up than investigate him.

I am standing as the anti-corruption candidate and subscribe to the Martin Bell Principles from the Independent Network.

Enough is enough. Just one seat needs to change for a positive future.

The last time we stood, we nearly beat Labour and got more votes than all the other parties put together - Tories, UKIP / Reform, Lib Dems and Greens. 

I am the only candidate that can beat Labour. This time you can help me to get over the line and represent you again.

Please Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network on 7th May." 

  

Vote Andrew Pope Independent Network
Putting You First
Image: Southampton Independents (AP)

Andrew Pope Won His Safe Standing Campaign for St Marys Stadium -
A Campaign Launched at MP3 Centre, Millbrook
Photo: Southampton Independents (AP)

Andrew Pope Safe Standing Launch at MP3 Millbrook
Photo: Southampton Independents (DW)

Andrew Pope at the MP3 Centre, Millbrook
Photo: Southampton Independents (CT)

For Information: SGN Gas Main Replacement Affecting Maybush Corner Area of Southampton

Gas Main Works at Maybush Corner
Photo: Southampton Independents

 

Andrew Pope of the Independent Network and Co-Founder of Southampton Independents, has received the below information from Southern Gas Networks (SGN), who are working on gas mains in the Maybush Corner area of Southampton. 

Andrew says: 

Andrew Pope

"I asked for this information direct from the private gas company SGN, and they've provided it, so I'm passing it on to residents and businesses.

I've visited the site several times and spoken with staff. They are replacing the gas main and the works are deemed to be essential, according to them.

I've listened to bus users who have complained about the bus stop being moved. This included an elderly man Derek who has mobility problems. So we sat down and talked about it. And I've raised it with the bus company.

I've also spoken to Council officers about the bushes and trees that were cut back, because there may have been nesting birds. They said there were none.

While I was there, I took some photos for Guess the Pothole and reported potholes, two of which are now fixed. There is still a long rut in the middle of the road though.

The Labour-run Council's contractors Balfour Beatty are there checking up that SGN are doing it right according to the regulations. Regulations put in place by Tories. Like SGN, Balfour Beatty are also private contractors, contracted and extended under successive Tory and Labour councils, as documented on our website.

It seems like everything has been split up from central control and sold off, so it's no wonder the public feel the country and the Council is badly run and in constant chaos.

It is worth noting that the Thatcher Tory Government privatised gas, starting forty years ago in 1986. Labour has promised to bring at least part of it under national Government, but like many other broken promises that they've made, Labour has not. Labour or Tory, same old story."

The gas main works are causing disruption on the roads, with the bins, with wildlife, trees and bushes, and more. Get in touch if you want. You can also contact SGN at the details below.

We provide the information straight from SGN, without further comment, for your information. Emphasis has been added. 

"[SGN] would like to provide an update on our programme of gas main replacement work taking place in your local area.  Due to unforeseen engineering challenges our programme, and its traffic management, have changed from what was originally communicated, our plans are now as follows: 
 
14th March to Week Commencing 23rd March: Rownhams Road and Romsey Road – Road Closure and Traffic Lights
Rownhams Road will remain closed. We will be working under two light heads on Romsey Road. However, please note we will be flipping the works area and the live running lane. The light head at Wimpson Lane will remain as per the current traffic management set up. 
 
Week Commencing 23rd March to 30th March: Romsey Road – Traffic Lights
Following completion of reinstatement at Romsey Road junction Rownhams Road, the team will continue along Romsey Road between the junctions of Winchester Road to Rownhams Road under lights. 
 
30th March to 10th April: Romsey Road – Directional Road Closure
After this, we will amend traffic management to a westbound directional road closure between Winchester Road and Redbridge Hill, to complete a connection. 
 
10th April to 4th May: Romsey Road – Traffic Lights
The team will continue works along Romsey Road, from the junction of Winchester Road to Ashmead Road, under lights. Please note, the four-way junction of Romsey Road and Rownhams Road will be unaffected during this phase.
 
4th May to 29th May: Wimpson Lane – Directional Road Closure
We will have a southbound directional lane closure in place on Wimpson Lane. Northbound traffic will remain unaffected.
 
We understand our work can be disruptive for road users and residents; our engineers are committed to completing these works as quickly and as safely as possible. These works are essential to ensure we can continue to provide a safe and efficient gas supply to residents and wider community and avoid further disruptive gas leaks in the future. 
 
If you need to speak to us about these works, please email our customer service team  customer@sgn.co.uk or call us on 0800 912 1700, they will direct your enquiry to a member of the team for response. 
 
We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding. 
 
SGN Southern Replacement" 

 

 

Three Southampton City Councillors Fail To Vote on 2026/27 Council Budget

 

Labour Councillor Lee Whitbread
Photo: Southampton City Council

Three Southampton City Councillors failed to attend the February 2026 Budget Full Council - two Labour and one Conservative. One of them is already suspended by Labour, pending investigation.

The Budget Full Council meeting is where the Council's budget is considered and voted on by all fifty-one councillors. There are three councillors per council ward and there are seventeen wards.

The Councillors who gave apologies were:

1. Councillor Lee Whitbread (suspended as Labour pending investigation, Redbridge) 
2. Councillor Val Laurent (Conservative, Harefield) 
3. Councillor Vivienne Windle (Labour, Banister and Polygon).

Lee Whitbread is under investigation by Labour, and is described as an Independent. As we have said before, that is inaccurate. He is a fake independent and nothing to do with Southampton Independents.

As they were not at the meeting, they could not speak, or vote for, against and abstain, at the Council Budget.

Their constituents will be left wondering whether they supported the Labour-controlled Council's spending priorities and decisions.

INVESTIGATION: Chaos at Shirley Warren Primary School and in Southampton Labour

Investigation

UPDATE (Friday 13/3/26): LABOUR IN REDBRIDGE IN CHAOS, SHIRLEY WARREN PRIMARY IN CHAOS, LABOUR-RUN COUNCIL IN CHAOS

1. We have offered Councillor Sally Goodfellow the right of reply to our article.

2. The claims made by the Labour-run Council do not seem to add up. The Daily Echo is standing by its headline that the Council sacked the governors.

3. The Bridge Education Trust have taken over a week to provide any minutes of the governor meetings, despite promising to get them to us by the end of this week. The Acting Headteacher has promised them to us by the end of Monday 16th March.

4. We have offered the three Shirley Ward councillors the right of reply to our article, and pointed out to the Leader of the Council Alex Winning who is a Shirley ward councillor that his own Cabinet Member and senior officers seem to contradict the Echo headline that the Labour-run Council sacked all governors including Labour Redbridge Councillor Sally Goodfellow.

 

Investigation

 

 

 

 

Another Southampton Redbridge Ward Labour Councillor Removed - First Lee Whitbread Now Sally Goodfellow

 

Redbridge Labour Councillor Sally Goodfellow
Photo: Southampton City Council

Labour Losing One Councillor Is Bad... 

First it was reported by the Daily Echo that Southampton Redbridge Labour Councillor Lee Whitbread has been suspended by the Labour Party. At the time of writing, it is one of the most popular posts on our website. 

And at the time of writing, Whitbread is still listed on the Southampton Labour website as a Labour councillor. Is he or is he not? Will he be standing in the local elections when his seat is up?

The Southampton City Council website lists him as "Independent". As we've said before, he is nothing to do with us. He is nothing but a fake independent and a suspended Labour one at that.

Another Redbridge Labour Councillor Loses A Council Role 

Now, it is reported by the Daily Echo that another Southampton Redbridge Labour Councillor, this time Sally Goodfellow, who is in the news. 

She has been removed as a governor at Shirley Warren Primary School. This school is not in the Redbridge ward. It is in the Shirley ward, where Labour have just lost two by-elections in a row.

Who is Responsible? Labour Councillors

The Leader of the Council at the moment is Councillor Alexander Winning. He is a Shirley ward councillor and is up for election in May 2026. The Cabinet Member for Children and Learning is Councillor Amanda Barnes-Andrews, a Bitterne Park ward councillor who is up for election in May 2027. Under collective responsibility at least, they would have both had to agree the removal of the governors.

UPDATE: A response has been received from Councillor Barnes-Andrews. She says that Cabinet did not make the decision. Her response will be communicated in a future article. 

Who Else Was A Governor? 

Councillor Goodfellow has been removed, along with all other governors, including the Chair Andy McHugh who is mentioned in the Echo article. The register of interests document on the school's website shows the following list of governors was in place:

• Zoe Newton, the now ex-headteacher and Governor
• Andy McHugh, Trust Governor, with interest registered as Shirley Warren Action Church
• Sophia Ship, Deputy headteacher and Trust Governor, with interest registered as Southampton City Council
• Aby Adekoya, Co-opted Governor, no interests registered
• Sally Spicer, Co-opted Governor, with interest registered as Southampton City Council. Spicer is Goodfellow's married name. In the Echo report, she is quoted as being "angry".
• Shannon Wannell, Parent Governor, no interests registered
• there are four blank rows in the register of interests, one parent governor, one Council governor, one staff governor, one co-opted governor 

All of these governors have been removed by the Labour-run Southampton City Council.

What Have Southampton Independents Done On Behalf of Parents and Residents? 

Southampton Independents has written to the Bridge Education Trust to express its concern about the situation and ask a set of questions on behalf of parents and the taxpayer. 

We have a response, to which we have also expressed further concern. So we await a further response. The Bridge Education Trust is also responsible for other schools in Southampton.

Southampton Independents has also written to Councillor Amanda Barnes-Andrews with a set of questions on behalf of parents and the taxpayer, and also to Councillor Alex Winning.

 

 

 

Southampton Redbridge Labour Councillor Lee Whitbread Suspended - A Fake "Independent"

 

Labour Councillor Lee Whitbread
Photo: Southampton City Council

Southampton Redbridge Labour Councillor Lee Whitbread has been suspended from the Labour Group of councillors, according to Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter for the Daily Echo.

Co-Founder of Southampton Independents Andrew Pope says:

"The Council website says he is 'Independent'! They are just following their procedures, but Lee Whitbread is nothing of the sort.

We disown Lee Whitbread in no uncertain terms.  

Lee Whitbread is not an independent, but a Labour councillor under investigation.

He is nothing to do with us, nor with any reputable independent elected representative. Lee Whitbread is a wrong'un.

Perhaps now Labour do not want him to be their candidate again, Whitbread could join the so-called "Independent Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition" who are also abusing the name of "independent" in the Shirley by-election. TUSC are also nothing to do with us or the Independent Network. They are Trotskyists and never achieve anything for Southampton.

I always had my suspicions about Lee Whitbread. He has sided with the wrong people, be they Labour councillors or others, including during the 2018 election when our candidate Denise Wyatt almost beat Labour.

We still have the evidence of what he did with those bad people and we considered challenging the result in the Election Court, but we did not have the money if we had lost. Labour clung on to power by one seat, employing desperate measures including siding with those who broke  electoral law. We reported to the Police, who did not act to protect democracy or electoral law. They did not seem to know how to.

Thankfully in contrast to the Police, the Returning Officer trusted our evidence and patrolled polling stations when people threatened to intimidate voters outside them on polling day. Again, we have the evidence and the RO is respected.

I raised this in the Council Chamber after the 2018 local election, and likened the behaviour of some in Redbridge to the rotten borough of London Tower Hamlets, not Southampton.

Southampton could have been so different if they had not employed such desperate measures to keep power.

At the election count in 2016, Whitbread also made derogatory comments towards me and our genuine independent Redbridge candidate Denise Wyatt. He appeared to be affected by our presence at the count and Denise's excellent performance for a first time candidate, and we considered complaining to the Returning Officer. In hindsight, perhaps we should have done.

Having had to suffer him as a "colleague" when in Labour, despite my goodwill towards him at first, I have a wealth of bad experience of Whitbread.

But Councillor Simon Letts backed him despite the allegations I made about Whitbread when I was in the Labour Party. I gave the evidence to Southampton Labour Party officials, but they let Whitbread off.

Now is the time for Labour to ditch him, because the people of Redbridge deserve better than him. And they deserve better than the three Labour councillors - Whitbread, Goodfellow and McManus. They all need to go.

The people of Redbridge, Millbrook and Maybush deserve true Independent Network and Southampton Independents representation again, like they had with me from 2015-2019, and almost had with Denise Wyatt.

If you would like to stand against Whitbread in May, indeed against Labour in Redbridge in May if Whitbread is actually not to be their candidate, get in touch. It's time we brought Redbridge back to democracy, and indeed the whole of Southampton by electing talented independents onto the Council."

 

Andrew Pope

 

CAMPAIGN VICTORY: Andrew Pope Leads On The Southampton Park and Ride to Reduce Hospital Parking and Hospital Traffic

 

Southampton Park and Ride Bus PR1 Finally Here

Redbridge resident John says:

"When Andrew Pope was our local councillor, of the three councillors we had, he was the one who got things done.

When the residents had a problem with the roadside trees not being maintained, Andrew got that sorted.

When I had a problem with the council tax band my home was in, Andrew came to my house and went through the options, and gave me the advice that helped get the band lowered. I can't see many other councillors doing that. 

Unlike most councillors, who owe their allegiance to one political party or another, Andrew, as an independent, can and does, work for the people who elect him." 

Andrew Pope was a Redbridge ward councillor from 2011 until 2019. The co-founder of Southampton Independents is standing as an Independent Network candidate in the latest Shirley by-election for Southampton City Council. Andrew says:

Independent Network Emblem

 

Andrew Pope, Independent Network and Southampton Independents

 

"People wanted action on hospital traffic and parking. For over a decade, I have listened, I have led, I have acted. I make the change happen, even when opponents do not like it.

I led and won a 12-year campaign for a Southampton Park and Ride for hospital staff and another for the public and football fans too. 

I led and chaired a Council inquiry into transport to the hospital. I held hospital management and chief executives to account for delivering the staff Park and Ride, and then the City Centre and St. Mary's Stadium Park and Rides. The hospital have kept their promises, but the Council has let our City and its visitors down.

I am holding the Labour-run Council and Cabinet Member for Transport to account, and the hospital and private bus company Bluestar to account for delivery, because what they've done so far is a good start, but it is not good enough. The bus company told me it was a "trial". I have asked Councillor Christie Lambert about this but she has failed to answer - and now has quit! My letter was published in the Echo.

 

"Park and Ride not good enough" Andrew Pope Letter in Echo

  

I ran a petition on the derelict pub, whose development proposal threatens more hospital parking problems because there is no parking on the site in the proposal. 

I spoke for you at the Council Planning meeting. Big political parties do not really care about you. They proved it by their councillors approving this pub proposal.

The two Labour councillors for Shirley - Councillor Alex Winning and Councillor Alice Kloker - did nothing on the pub proposal. They were not at the meeting and did not write to object.  I have asked them why.

The now ex-Lib Dem Councillor who caused this by-election actually supported the application and shook the hands of the people acting for the developers, in public, at the Civic Centre. Yes, George Percival really did that! I have never seen any councillor ever do that in all my years as a campaigner. He claimed to represent you but did the opposite, and then quit mid-term. The Lib Dems are still the Fib Dems.

When I spoke up for you at the Plannng meeting, I also called for the delivery of the Park and Ride. Shortly after, after years of Labour dithering, it finally happened. It wasn't a coincidence, I made it happen. 

I called in the Echo for the Labour Cabinet Member for Transport to be sacked, and he was. Captain Chaos Eamonn Keogh had to go, and the Portswood Bus Gate with him.

 

Andrew Pope Letter Calling For Eamonn Keogh to be sacked in the Echo

  

But who is responsible now his very brief successor Lambert has quit? I am demanding answers from the Leader of the Council Alex Winning.

I am here to serve you. I did what I said I would do, which is what I have done for Southampton and its people for many years, and I am standing again to be elected. 

The big political parties let you down, proved by the Lib Dems that caused this by-election, and by the Labour-run Council being incompetent. 

If you want independent representation, you have to vote for it.  

None of the other candidates in this election have the same track record of experience and passion as me. That's why more people are supporting me, and why my former constituent in Redbridge is prepared to be quoted.

Please vote for me, please support me, come and help me win, and please tell others."

 

The Shirley ward by-election is on 26th February 2026.

 

 

THANK YOU! SOUTHAMPTON INDEPENDENTS ARE ON THE MAP

Denise Wyatt doubled her vote between 2016 and 2018

Our local Southampton Independents party is just over one year old. We were only registered as a political party in 2017.

Leader of Southampton Independents, Denise Wyatt, says:

Leader of Southampton Independents
Denise Wyatt

 
"My result in Redbridge Ward was fantastic. Thanks to everyone who voted for me, delivered leaflets or who put posters up or who put boards up.

It was still slightly disappointing, in that I did not win for local residents.

But I am very pleased that I got more than double the number of votes in the last Council election in 2016. There was no Council election in 2017.

Southampton Independents has shown that it can reduce a huge majority in a "safe" Labour seat, and make it into a marginal seat that we can win next time.

We will continue to help and support residents, as we always have promised, and as we always have done.

Join us and then we can win seats across Southampton! We are definitely on the map now."

Sylvia and Richard supporting Denise

Southampton Independents Councillor for Redbridge, Andrew Pope, says:

Southampton Independents Councillor
Andrew Pope

"Denise should be very proud of the levels of support that I heard during the election campaign.

People all over the Redbridge Ward, from Old Redbridge to Maybush to Millbrook and to the Channel Islands estate, were so enthusiastic about voting for Denise.

It was fantastic to hear and see their enthusiasm.

Southampton Independents is only a small and young party.

Join us and make Southampton have a positive future, not more Labour or Tory, same old story.

There are many people, too many people, to thank.

You know who you are!

And you know what Southampton Independents is all about - by residents and for residents."

Jenny supporting Denise

Shelley supporting Denise

One of our many boards displayed
by one of our supporters