The 2003 Bristol City Council election took place on 1 May 2003, on the same day as other local elections in the UK. The Labour Party made a number of losses, mainly to the Liberal Democrats, and lost overall control of the council.
Loses included Council leader Diane Bunyan, who lost her Windmill Hill seat to the Liberal Democrats. This year also saw elections contested by the new Bristolian Party, founded by the local 'scandal sheet' The Bristolian, though they failed to win any seats.
Previous composition 2001 election Party Seats 36 24 10Total70
Changes between elections
Summary Election result
! colspan=2| Total ! 119 ! 24 ! ! ! 46 ! 70 ! 65.7 ! 66,881 ! colspan=2 |
Election of Group Leaders Peter Hammond (Southmead) was elected leader of the Labour Group, Barbara Janke (Clifton) was re-elected leader of the Liberal Democrats group and Peter Abraham (Stoke Bishop) was re-elected leader of the Conservative group.
Government Formation Following the loss of their majority, new labour leader Peter Hammond announced the party's intention to leave government, saying "Following a second year of failing to win the popular vote and finding ourselves without a majority on the council we feel the only principled and legitimate decision is to pass control to the other two parties. We feel this is a reflection of the desire of the voters of Bristol to have a change." However both opposition parties refused to take over unless Labour remained part of the government, with the Lib Dems proposing for an interim cabinet made up of representatives from all three parties and the Conservative suggesting a 5-member interim cabinet headed by their leader Peter Abraham. After failed meetings on 13 & 20 May and 5 June, on 9 June, following a fourth failed meeting the labour caretaker executive resigned.
However, by 17 June, Labour had backed down and agreed to the Lib Dem proposal of a cabinet of three Lib Dems, three Labour and two Conservative councillors, led by their leader Barbara Janke.
Ward results Swings are compared to the 1999 election when these seats were last contested.
Ashley
Bedminster
Bishopsworth
Brislington East
Brislington West
Cabot
Clifton
Clifton East
Cotham
Easton
Eastville
Filwood
Frome Vale
Hartcliffe
Hengrove
Hillfields
Knowle
Lawrence Hill
Southville
St George East
St George West
Stockwood
Whitchurch Park
Windmill Hill
References