With the May 2022 local elections on the horizon, it is paramount the Lib Dems build up momentum going into the spring by ending the year strong and we did just that!

First and foremost, we want to thank all our valued candidates, local parties and an army of steadfast volunteers that gave Lib Dem supporters ample opportunity to support Liberal Democrat Councillors all over the country.

There were two gains in Lancaster, one loss and one gain in Hailsham, a heartfelt loss in North Norfolk and in Breckland.

Lancaster

We begin proceedings in Lancaster where the blue wall suffered a severe chink to the armoury. In both Bare and Upper Lune Valley, candidates Gerry Blaikie and Ross Hunter respectively ran stellar campaigns to achieve gains from the Conservatives.

Lancaster, Bare Ward

• Liberal Democrat (Gerry Blaikie): 428 (33.3%, +21.2)
• Green: 301 (23.4%,+23.4)
• MBI: 243 (18.9%, -16.5)
• Conservative: 205 (16.0%, -14.9)
• Labour: 107 (8.3%, -9.1)

Bare (Lancaster) by-election result:

LDEM: 33.3% (+21.2)
GRN: 23.4% (+23.4)
MBI: 18.9% (-16.5)
CON: 16.0% (-14.9)
LAB: 8.3% (-9.1)

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.

Votes cast: 1,284

— Britain Elects (@BritainElects) December 3, 2021

Lancaster, Upper Lune Valley Ward

• Liberal Democrat (Ross Hunter): 390 (63.1%, +19.1)
• Conservative: 183 (29.6%, -16.3)
• Green:24 (3.9%, +3.9)
• LAB: 21 (3.4%, -6.7)

Upper Lune Valley (Lancaster) by-election result:

LDEM: 63.1% (+19.1)
CON: 29.6% (-16.3)
GRN: 3.9% (+3.9)
LAB: 3.4% (-6.7)

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.

Votes cast: 618

— Britain Elects (@BritainElects) December 2, 2021

Hailsham

The majority of Thursday’s action was over at Hailsham town council with three wards Central, North West and South all up to be contested.

Let’s start in Hailsham Central where the incumbent independents choice to stand down set up a hotly contested seat between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives. With a huge 59.5% share of the vote, Joanna Crittenden turned the ward Liberal Democrat, we would like to offer our congratulations on such a resounding victory to you and all your team. In Hailsham North West Anne-Blake Coggins returned a respectable 25.1% of the vote share and in Hailsham South Darren Ridge was pipped to the post by only 24 votes! Commendable returns all around in Hailsham.

Hailsham Central

• Liberal Democrat (Joanna Crittenden) – 262
• Conservative – 178
• Hailsham North West
• Con – 205 [43.3%]
• Independent – 125 [26.4%]
• Liberal Democrat – 119 [25.1%]
• Independent – 24 [5.1%]

Hailsham South

• Conservative – 221
• Liberal Democrat (Darren Ridge) – 197

Breckland

A special mention to James Minto and the team over at Breckland DC who returned a staggering 40.9% of the vote share from a standing start to miss out on victory by only twenty-two votes. This personifies why we should stand candidates in every possible election, a truly valiant effort from the whole team in Breckland.

• Conservative: 243 (45%, -26.3%)
• Liberal Democrat (James Minto): 221 (40.9%, +40.9%)
• Labour: 66 (12.2%, -16.5%)
• Workers’ Party: 10 (1.9%, +1.9%)

Warwick

In the Warwick District Council ward of Whitnash, Whitnash Residents Association held on to win another term in office. Thank you to the Lib Dem candidate Trevor Barr for giving a Lib Dem option to voters there.

Newport

In Newport County Council’s ward of Victoria Labour secured another victory. Thank you to Liberal Democrat candidate John Miller for providing a voice and option to all Liberal Democrat voters in the area.

• Labour: 641 (64.6%, +6.7)
• Liberal Democrat (John Miller): 258 (26.0%,+5.6)
• Conservative: 93 (9.4%, -3.8)

North Norfolk

We would like to say thank you to Barbara Mcgoun for giving voters a Lib Dem option in the North Norfolk’s council ward of Stalham. Another spirited outing for the Lib Dems with a very respectable return of second place with 37% of the vote share. The seat ultimately stayed in the Conservatives tenureship.

• Conservative: 559 (55.2%, +25.9)
• Liberal Democrat (Barbara Mcgoun): 375 (37.0%, -11.1)
• Labour: 79 (7.8%, -0.2)

Lessons from the Stalham (North Norfolk) byelection loss

Other results

Finally, there were two further elections on Thursday night – sadly without Lib Dem candidates standing. In Adur District Council, the Conservatives held Hillside ward. Whilst over at Wealdon District Council the Green Party flipped Hartfield ward away from the Conservatives.

* Paul Heilbron is a Campaigns and Communications Intern at ALDC