A testing week on the by-election front for the Liberal Democrats after a flurry of successful weeks to begin 2022. With eight vacancies to fight (one of which was on Wednesday) we stood in four, one of which we saw the chequered flag. The high of a fantastic gain on Maldon TC was certainly marred by only standing a candidate on 50% of available ballots this week. Let’s delve into the detail.
We kick off proceedings over at Maldon where both the Town and District council were holding by-elections. We can take great pride from both elections but with a gain from the Conservatives on the Town side of things this is certainly candidate, or should I say councillor, John Driver that steals the show this week. With a staggering 65% of the vote share, we now have another Town councillor added to the roster. Congratulations to John and the whole team for such a fantastic result.
Although the same victorious story doesn’t project from the district council result we can be thrilled with the efforts of Colin Baldy and his team. Although the Conservatives held onto the seat, a 12% vote share returned from a standing start is not to be sniffed at. The groundwork has truly been laid for the next time around. Keep up the good work.
We move away from Maldon but unfortunately into a narrative of blue is the colour. Both South Kesteven District council by-elections went to the Tories in the wards of Isaac Newton and Aveland. As did St Peter’s ward on Castle Point Borough Council. This theme may have something to do with the fact that there was not a Liberal Democrat candidate on any of the ballot papers. We must always strive for a full slate, paramount to our success and integral to our ethos, we must stand a candidate in every possible election no matter the location, size or scale.
Although the Conservatives claimed the spoils from Colsterworth on Lincolnshire CC, Harrish Bisnauthsing’s return was very amicable indeed. A 16.8% of the vote share from a standing start and peeling away a considerable chunk of the Tory vote is a fine night’s work for the team over at Colsterworth.
Seven runners and riders meant the Ferryhill by-election was a jam-packed affair. Labour ultimately gained the seat but thank you to Bill Thorkilsden for being the Liberal among many on the ballot paper.
Last but not least, Spelthorne’s by-election of Stanwell North produced the unusual phenomenon of a Wednesday by-election. Labour secured a gain from the Conservatives through the smallest of margins, just 38 votes split the two parties.
A full breakdown of the results can be seen on the ALDC website.
* Paul Heilbron is a Campaigns and Communications Intern at ALDC
Follow @libdemvoice.org on Bluesky
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
A swamp of lies and disinformation
The mysterious mole men of New York caught on video
Doing better? The goal must be Sufficeincy
Michael Meadowcroft (1942-2026) - A Liberal to His Core
Rob Heale
Mick Taylor
Jason Connor
Chloe
8 Comments
I like your style in these reports Paul. Always a pleasure to read.
So dispiriting though to see only 4 candidates out of 8. If any local party out there has a by election coming up and is thinking of not standing a candidate, for whatever reason, please contact ALDC and get their advice before making a decision. They’ll be happy to chat to you informally (Paul will bear me out on that I think).
Ultimately, there’s really not much point being in politics if you don’t stand for election. Bill Thorkilsden got 9 votes last night but he is my hero of the week. He stood up for Liberalism and gave people the chance to vote for us. If you’re reading this Bill, thank you. And the same goes for Colin and Harrish and all the others.
The amount of seats we are not contesting is disquieting, there has been a distinct uptick of late. Do we have that many moribund branches?
You are drawing the wrong conclusion from a tiny unrepresentative sample.
The 4 candidates is 3 more than the last time these seats were fought.
For those who prefer a longer term view the data for the last fifty local by-elections is as follows. (The equivalent data for the fifty by-elections up to the end of January is given in brackets).
Vote share:
Conservatives 37.4% (35.4%)
Labour 22.8% (28.4%)
Liberal Democrats 21.7% (16.5%)
Greens 8.5% (9.1%)
Others 9.6% (10.7%)
Gains and losses are:
Lib Dems: Net gain of eight: 9 gains, 3 held, 1 lost
Greens: Net gain of three: 3 gains, 1 held, 0 lost
Labour: Net gain of two: 5 gains, 7 held, 3 lost
Yorkshire Party: Net loss of one: 0 gains, 0 held, 1 lost
Independents: Net loss of five: 2 gains, 1 held, 7 lost
Conservatives: Net loss of seven: 5 gains, 15 held, 12 lost
Conservatives won 20 seats, Labour 12, Liberal Democrats 12, Green 4, Independents 3
(The numbers do not add up to 50 as there was a double-vacancy in one ward)
This data is for the most recent 50 by-elections in England & Wales (9th December to 24th February). Parish/Town councils are not included.
I expect that the major problem wili simply have been no one (at all suitable) could be found. This has been the case in my area for some time. Last year we had to nominate 2 candidates from a neighbouring town who stood as ‘paperless’ candidates. Despite no campaign whatever, they got over 100 votes (though a small percentage). This is in an Authority where LD are in control, and in a Constituency where we are in second place. The main issue is that most supporters are now elderly and / or in poor health. I cannot see how ALDC or anyone else can suggest any realistic solutions — I wish I could.
How can I find out if Lib Dem candidates are standing for council in my own ward? Is there a website which lists all the Lib Dem candidates?
It is ALWAYS possible to find candidates. You have to know how to do it. The problem is that when people want a candidate they pick up the phone or turn to social media. WRONG. There is only one sure fire way and that is to visit people unannounced in their homes and ask them. NEVER EVER use the phone to find candidates. You are guaranteed a no if you do. In over 40 years of candidate finding I have never recruited anyone on the phone or indeed in any other way than going to see them.
You can find out who to ask by using Connect or Ears to give you a list of voters who say they support the LibDems and have voted in two successive elections. Works for me. Then when you do go and call and someone says no, ask them for suggestions on whom you might ask next. Of 13 candidates recruited in 2019, only 3 were active party members at the time.
Yes but how can I find out who the Lib Dem candidates are in my own ward? Is there a central list of candidates for the May 2022 council elections?