Defecting MPs can be forced into a by-election by the recall process. No such safeguards exist for councillors. Should a defecting councillor, or one who leaves the party they were elected under, to become independent, trigger a by-election to give the public their say? What do people think?

Letter says defecting councillor must trigger fresh election

This week, Andy Burnham became our seventh Prime Minister in ten years. Predictably, his appointment has prompted calls for a General Election with…

hampshirechronicle.co.uk

Yesterday, I joined representatives of dozens of UK councils at @unisouthampton.bsky.social for a workshop exploring how they can ensure the Rights of Nature in the UK. The aim of the day was to support dialogue on the legal issues arising in the context of councils’ work on nature’s rights

THE CLACTON BY-ELECTION: THE PEOPLE V THE ESTABLISHMENT! One candidate is a privately educated city trader, who has held elected office almost consistently since 1999 and is now the leader of a national political party, who is backed personally by billionaires. The other wears a bin on his head!

DEFENDING THE RIVER TEST See some of my latest work to protect the River Test. A collaboration between The Pan Parish River Pollution Forum and @southernwater.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqLA...

Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring for Iconic Chalk Streams

YouTube video by Southern Water

youtube.com

Thank you to everyone who took part in today’s brilliant #OneRomsey event! We all had a fantastic day! A celebration of culture and diversity, embracing the fact that despite the different ways we make it through this life, ultimately we are more alike than we are different. We are all, ONE ROMSEY!

D-DAY: WE HONOUR THEM 82 years ago, allied troops from around the world began the liberation of mainland Europe. Let us honour all those who fought for our liberty, freedom and hope by uniting in a common cause to stop the spread of fear, and defeat the anger and hate it spreads. LEST WE FORGET

VOTE TORY, GET REFORM! Collaborative politics is one thing but this looks like a backroom deal has been done to put the old Tory leader back, while handing Reform significant positions of power. Vote Tory, Get Reform, or is it Vote Reform, Get Tories? Either way, it’s not what many voted for!

Lib Dems accuse Tories and Reform of working together to run county council

Hampshire Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservatives and Reform UK of secretly working together to take control of Hampshire County Council.

hampshirechronicle.co.uk

Brilliant time at North Baddesley Village Day. Thanks to all who took part & came along to enjoy the day. Great to see so many of the North Baddesley clubs, associations, organisations, charities, businesses, and of course our wonderful residents, who all make our village such a special place.

As the UK votes in 1,400+ Reform councillors, Hungary a country dominated by far-right politics for 16yrs, celebrates shedding the shadow of that type of politics, proudly singing “Ode to Joy” the anthem of Europe! Hopefully it won’t take us as long before we cast the shadow of the far-right aside.

Adam Schwarz@adamjschwarz.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Hungary’s parliament sings “Ode to Joy” — the anthem of Europe — after Péter Magyar is sworn in as prime minister. Hungary is once again a proud member of the European Union.

Today was the last trench candle making session for the Romsey Ukraine Support Group. Thank you to all those volunteers who have helped over the last few months. We all hope that there will be no need for these candles after the summer either but if there is, we will return. Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦

A brilliant day celebrating #Vaisakhi with friends in #Southampton. This was our first ever Nagar Kirtan celebration and we all loved it! Thank you so much for including us in this amazing festival promoting equality, unity and service to humanity.

Shockingly there is no police station with an open public desk in the constituency of Romsey and Southampton North. Removing the “£200 Rule” will help but investment is needed too. More “Bobbies on the beat”, more open police desks and higher visibility will deter this rise in ‘petty’ crime.

'It's time for our retailers to feel supported and toughen up on 'petty' crime'

Our retailers deserve to feel supported; our residents deserve to feel safe, and our police officers deserve to feel adequately resourced to do the…

hampshirechronicle.co.uk

Fantastic news coming out of Hungary this evening! Now, this is not the end of the most recent rise of the far-right in Europe, it may not even be the beginning of the end, but it is perhaps, the end of the beginning.

Congratulations @southamptonfc.bsky.social! Incredible performance! Awesome result! If you want to know what a united and confident team looks like, with players who believe and most importantly who care, then look no further! WE MARCH ON!

Out filming on location today with Seth Crosswaite, as our water quality testing monitors start to go into the River Test. Watch this space, more news to follow!

The Daily Echo is right, I am very unhappy! The government’s decision on LGR makes an already extremely complicated process even worse. Redrawing of existing District council boundaries will lead to greater complexity in the transition and transfer of services, resources and funding.

Councillor 'very unhappy' as parts of Test Valley to join Southampton-based unitary

A Test Valley Borough Councillor has said he is "very unhappy" with the decision about the upcoming Hampshire local government…

dailyecho.co.uk

Frankly, I’m amazed he lasted this long…!

Reform UK suspends mayoral candidate over comments on Jewish group

Chris Parry referred to members of neighbourhood watch group as ‘cosplayers’ after ambulance arson attack

theguardian.com

So now we know… www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... For once, I find myself in agreement with Caroline Nokes, curving up rural areas to suit a Labour council and Labour government political agenda is the worst possible outcome for residents. It makes an already complex challenge immeasurably harder!

It’s been a tale of 3 mayors this week! Congratulations to Cllr Russell Theron now Mayor of Romsey. Cllr Gordon Bailey, Mayor of Test Valley & finally congratulations to David Johnson who celebrated 50 years since being elected Mayor of Romsey! Thank you for your service to our town and beyond.

A wonderful day at Romsey Memorial Park for the VE80 Picnic in the Park. Thank you to Romsey Town Council, the Mayor Cllr John Parker and Mayoress of Romsey, Deputy Mayor Cllr Russell Theron and everyone who all worked so hard to make the day a brilliant success. My family and I loved it!

Today I’ve been over to support our candidate Mark Harding in the Eastleigh Central by-election. There was a great turnout for Mark today. Polling Day is 8th May, here’s to Thursday being a Victory in Eastleigh day for the @libdems.org.uk too!

Fantastic results for the @libdems.org.uk today! Congratulations to all our new councillors. Whilst others use fear to win votes, the Liberal Democrats offer a future of openness, fairness and tolerance. We will stand up for the real British values which make our nation a truly Great Britain. 🔶🔶🔶

Even if the Tories at Hants County Council have denied us our election, there’s still plenty to do for the @libdems.org.uk. Today I was supporting Paula Ferguson & the Winchester team with their by-election. I also got to do some campaigning with my brother, who’s a councillor there!

Our MP was a part of the Conservative government which caused the funding issues! Ms Nokes supporting community pharmacists now, is a bit like she’s metaphorically thrown a grenade into the local pharmacy, then had a photo taken of her ‘heroically’ pulling the pharmacist to out of the building!

Interview with BBC Radio Solent this morning, highlighting the confusion & chaos caused by Hampshire County Council's poor diversion signage from Botley Rd Hoe Lane is not the diversion route. Please refer to HCC's website for the official diversion. www.hants.gov.uk/tran.../high...

It was great to join volunteers from the Romsey & District Society yesterday for their litter pick around #Romsey. Dozens of bin bags filled and Romsey’s streets and paths a little cleaner! A great way to spend and sunny Saturday. 😊 www.romseydistrictsociety.co.uk

Today I joined dozens of volunteers in #Romsey for the ‘Candles for Ukraine’ event, organised by Romsey Ukraine Support Group. It’s a humbling experience making this small contribution to support the brave men & women fighting for their families, home & their very survival. Slava Ukraini!

Today the @libdems team was back in sunny West Wellow, knocking on doors & speaking to residents. Many still unaware Hampshire County Council have cancelled May’s election. Unsurprisingly, they were not happy to hear HCC’s Conservative leadership have denied them those vote. #DontDenyDemocracy

Congratulations Cllr Prad Bains! Election Result in Eastleigh: LIB DEM HOLD Hamble & Netley. LD 1224, Ref 542, Con 421, Lab 164.