Local election in Southampton ward suspended after death of candidate Tributes were paid to Conservative candidate Graham Galton who dA local election vote in Southampton has been called off because a Conservative candidate died after the polls had opened.
In a relatively rare occurrence, the vote in the Coxford ward for Southampton city council was completely cancelled. A new election will be held within 35 days, with a new nominations process taking place.
Colleagues paid tribute to Graham Galton, who was a sitting councillor for Millbrook ward in the city but was standing this time for Coxford, alongside his wife, Diana, also a Conservative. Their son, Steven, is standing in Millbrook for the party.
Daniel Fitzhenry, leader of the Conservative group, told the Southern Daily Echo newspaper that Galton was “a true gentleman, an incredibly kind, warm and friendly man, who many people got on with and he loved to take the time to talk with anyone”.
