MP standing down as city councillor

Satvir Kaur became a city councillor since 2011 and the first Sikh woman to lead a local authority in the UK

A Southampton MP has announced she is standing down as a local councillor to focus on her parliament role.

The former leader of Southampton City Council Satvir Kaur announced she was calling time on her 13 years as an elected ward member for Shirley.

A by-election to elect a new councillor in Shirley has now been called, which will take place within the next 35 days.

Ms Kaur said in a statement that serving the area had been "a privilege and an honour".

Ms Kaur became the MP for Southampton Test in July’s general election, following on from Labour party colleague Alan Whitehead, who held the seat for 27 years.

She has been a city councillor since 2011 and became the first Sikh woman to lead a local authority in the UK when she served as a council leader from 2022 to 2023.

Her seat in parliament was secured with a majority of 9,333 votes.

She has stressed the importance of tackling NHS waiting lists in the House of Commons.

Her achievements as a councillor include creating a new play area on Southampton Common and contributing to roads safety with highway upgrades.

In her statement, Ms Kaur added: “I can best serve the people of Shirley as their new member of parliament and by giving this new role my full attention and commitment.

“I joined politics to help change people’s lives, enrich our communities, and help reach our city’s huge potential."

Her successor as leader of the council, Lorna Fielker, thanked her for "unwavering commitment, passion and hard work”.

“Satvir is the reason Labour won back the council and the reason we are in a position to serve Southampton today,” Ms Fielker said.

“She has achieved so much for Southampton already, and our communities are better off for her championing and fighting for them in Parliament now.”