If Southampton is going to reach its full potential the Labour Council simply must do better. Today the Daily Echo reveals that no bid will be made to attract the hugely successful and popular Clipper Race back to Southampton. We all know and acknowledge the financial challenge Southampton is facing but it’s not all about money.

In today’s Echo business leaders and the race organisers criticised Labour city leaders for failing to bid for the race. The Chief Executive of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce said, “I think it is a shame. I understand the financial position, but it would have certainly helped bring visitors and wealth to the economy. “I think every time we do not go for things like this it undermines our creditability.”

Of course this isn’t the first time Labour has let this most prestigious race slip through its hands. This is why the gruelling round the world race finished last week in London instead of Southampton.

And more recently, after a lack of enthusiasm from Southampton’s Labour Council, Sir Ben Ainslie decided to launch his bid for the America’s Cup from Portsmouth. 

They say you can’t win them all. On current form Southampton doesn’t appear to be able to win any.