I'm Soham Bandyopadhyay, a doctor in Southampton.

Full statement

Like a lot of people here, I'm tired of watching the basics get harder while the bills keep going up.

In my day job I see what happens when systems stop working: the delays that turn small problems into crises; the admin and duplication that swallow time and money; the knock-on effects on families, carers, and people just trying to get by. Around the city, you feel the same pattern: the cost of living squeeze, pressures on social care, stretched local services, and small businesses trying to survive while bureaucracy grows.

My view is simple: council politics should be about the essentials, done well, done transparently, and done with respect for taxpayers. That means cutting waste and refocusing spending where it actually improves daily life: social care that supports dignity and independence, essential services residents rely on, and practical backing for local businesses that keep the city moving and people in work.

I'm not a career politician. I'm used to working under pressure, making decisions with imperfect information, and being accountable for outcomes: not headlines. I want a council that does the same: clear priorities, transparent spending, and delivery you can see on your street and in your services.

That's why I'm standing to become a Reform councillor. The current approach isn't working, and tinkering at the edges won't fix it. Southampton needs reform that’s practical, disciplined, and focused on the basics. I’d be proud to help deliver it.