We finished an outstanding year for Council by-elections on a high this week. We won 2 of the 3 contests and put in a great showing in the third – moving forwards in our vote share everywhere.
There were 2 by-elections in Leicestershire. Firstly on Leicestershire CC we held Blaby and Glen Parva ward (which had previously been won by a Liberal Democrat who became an independent before resigning). Congratulations to Councillor Sue Jordan and the team on holding the seat, and doing so by increasing our vote by 12.5% and increasing our majority to over 650!
Leicestershire CC, Blaby and Glen Parva
Liberal Democrats (Sue Jorden): 989 (61.2%, +12.5%)
Conservative: 320 (19.8%, -13.7%)
Labour: 190 (11.8%, +1.8%)
Green Party: 116 (7.2%, -0.5%)
In the corresponding vacancy on Blaby DC we also held the seat of Glen Parva ward with an increased vote share. Congratulations to Councillor Andrew Savage and the team on winning over 60% of the vote and increasing the Lib Dem vote by 5.4%.
Blaby DC, Glan Parva
Liberal Democrats (Andrew Savage): 438 (60.6%, +5.4%)
Conservative: 140 (19.4%, -3.7%)
Labour: 102 (14.1%, new)
Green Party: 43 (6.0%, new)
The final by-election of 2023 was on Isle of Wight Council in Ventnor and St Lawrence ward. Here Lib Dem candidate Ray Harrington-Vail achieved a brilliant result with over 20% of the vote and finishing just over 125 behind the Conservatives who held the ward. This is a really impressive result given the Liberal Democrats did not contest this ward last time.
Isle of Wight Council, Ventnor and St Lawrence
Conservative: 274 (41.1%, +14.3%)
Labour: 248 (37.2%, +16.8%)
Liberal Democrats (Ray Harrington-Vail): 145 (21.7%, new)
A full summary of all results can be found on the ALDC by-elections page here.
* Charles Quinn is Campaigns Organiser for ALDC and a local councillor in Hull.
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5 Comments
The LibDem who became an Independant and then resigned!Why? Is there a lesson to learn?
Perhaps it was a personal grievance on the part of the defector. You can’t necessarily read anything into such events.
It would be useful to have a comment from the local party. The BBC website (and local media websites tell a similar story) suggest that Geoff Welsh had held both the County and District seats for 30 years before resigning for health reasons.
The Leicester Mercury site quotes Sue Jordan, the County winner, as saying “ It is hard to follow in the footsteps of such a great councillor as Geoff Welsh, and to increase our share of the vote is fantastic.” Which it’s hard to argue with.
Is it worth worrying about, things have moved on now. Anyway Councillors do change parties, some come to us and we champion it.
The Blaby local party sent a story to Lib dem voice, who declined to print it, regarding our result but the figures speak for themselves. To avoid any confusion Geoff Welsh remains a lib dem and his wife Bev is very much still active as the other district councillor in Glen Parva.
Does anyone have a spreadsheet with all the 2023 council by election results on? I am trying to find the highest share of the vote for a Lib Dem candidate in a four way fight. Thanks.