Southampton Lib Dems Confirm 2026 Candidates for Bassett, Shirley and Swaythling

The Liberal Democrats have confirmed their candidates for the 2026 City Council elections in three wards where the party already holds a seat — building on recent gains and aiming to strengthen their presence in key areas across Southampton.

In Bassett, sitting councillor Sam Chapman has been re-selected to stand for another term, with his current term ending in 2026. Sam has been a strong voice on the council, championing responsible investment and standing up for residents.

“I’m deeply honoured to have been reselected to stand again for Bassett,” said Cllr Chapman. “Representing our community is a privilege, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done together to hold the council to account, stand up for residents, and push for real investment in our city’s future.”

In Shirley, Chris Shank has been selected to join Cllr George Percival in continuing the Liberal Democrat momentum in the ward. Chris lives just off Shirley High Street and has been an active community volunteer for over a decade, especially through his work as a Scout Leader.

“Shirley is full of potential, but too often it’s overlooked,” he said. “I’m standing to fix the basics, restore pride in our streets, and help deliver the kind of ambitious, resident-led politics Shirley deserves. I’ll be out there every month, street by street, listening to concerns and earning trust.”

And in Swaythling, Julia Martin will be standing alongside Cllr Thomas Gravatt, aiming to bring a second Liberal Democrat voice to the ward. Julia is known for her commitment to community cohesion and environmental action.

“I'm delighted to have been selected as the candidate for Swaythling,” said Julia. “I'm not only looking forward to working with Thomas and the wider team but also bringing our community together and tackling the issues that are important to all of us.”

All three candidates were chosen following competitive selection contests, reflecting the growing strength and ambition of the Southampton Liberal Democrats. With the party already making a real impact in these wards, residents will now have the chance to elect even stronger Liberal Democrat teams in 2026.