FORMER Labour councillor-turned-Independent Colin Layland was left sidelined as he failed in his bid to rejoin the council.

He said he was happy that the St Clement seat for which he had competed had not gone to Labour.

"I would rather the Conservatives held it than Labour," he said.

"The Labour party should be less arrogant."

He claimed that Labour had "thrown everything they could" at his wife, Margaret, during the campaign in St John's.

Coun Layland said she was very relieved at the outcome in her ward, but had been worried as the votes were announced.

"It was very close," she said.