2003 Bristol City Council election

Following the loss of their majority,^[8] 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."^[9] 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.^{[10][11][12][13]}

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.^[14][15]

Swings are compared to the 1999 election when these seats were last contested.