Tory wipeout

Concerted union campaigning for last month’s local elections saw the Tories wiped out from Southampton Council — which had been at the centre of protracted industrial action over pay and job cuts and union-bashing.

Officials and members from the Unite and UNISON unions took part in leafleting, canvassing and phone banks on behalf of Labour during the election campaign. It ended with the Conservatives losing 10 council seats and Labour gaining 11 and taking control of the council for the first time in 10 years.

In line with moves by fellow Tories on Swindon and Plymouth councils, council leader Royston Smith had planned to end the funding of council staff on full trade union facility time and the provision of office facilities for unions. Labour promised to restore all facility time provisions if it won control of the council.