This week, there were six local by-elections, of which three were Liberal Democrat defences.

In Watford, we secured a decisive win and defended this borough council seat. Congratulations are due to Councillor Callum Robinson and the local team for winning in Watford.

Watford Borough Council, Tudor
Liberal Democrats (Callum Robertson): 821 (52.6%, +4.3)
Reform UK: 433 (27.2%, +17.8 )
Conservative: 148 (9.3%, -10.5)
Labour: 111 (7.0%, -16.4)
Green Party: 77 (4.8%, new)

Liberal Democrats HOLD

In East Devon, we were able to ensure this seat remained Liberal Democrat, with a solid win over Reform UK. Congratulations are also due to Councillor Fran McElhone and the local team.

East Devon District Council, Exmouth Halsdon
Liberal Democrats (Fran McElhone): 551 (35.9%, -3.9)
Reform UK: 438 (28.5%, new)
Conservative: 393 (25.6%, -4.1)
Green Party: 153 (10.0%, new)

Liberal Democrats HOLD

Staying in Devon, we were able to gain this seat off the Conservatives, who were pushed down to third place. Congratulations too to Stephen Middleton and the local team for gaining another council seat for the Lib Dems.

Torridge District Council, Winkleigh
Liberal Democrats (Stephen Middleton): 325 (42.3%, +8.7)
Reform UK: 252 (32.8%, new)
Conservative: 191 (24.9%, -23.7)

Liberal Democrats GAIN from Conservative

In Middlesbrough, we came agonisingly close, but lost out to Reform UK by just thirteen votes. We are once again reminded that every vote counts. Commiserations to Adrian Walker and the team. You’ll get them next time!

Middlesbrough Council, Nunthorpe
Reform UK: 563 (35.8%, new)
Liberal Democrats (Adrian Walker): 550 (35.0%, +4.0)
Conservative: 328 (20.9%, -9.1)
Green Party: 79 (5.0%, new)
Labour: 52 (3.3%, -5.2)

Reform UK GAIN from Liberal Democrats

We move now to the East Midlands, where there were two by-elections this week. Beginning in Nottinghamshire, the Broxtowe Alliance were able to successfully defend the seat they obtained from a Labour defection. Thank you to Simon Roche and the local team for putting up a good fight.

Broxtowe Borough Council, Stapleford South East
Broxtowe Alliance: 388 (34.6%, new)
Reform UK: 245 (21.9%, new)
Liberal Democrat: 149 (13.3%, -8.2)
Labour: 128 (11.4%, -14.7)
Conservative: 108 (9.6%, -9.5)
Independent: 102 (9.2%, new)

Broxtowe Alliance GAIN from Labour

Across the railway line, on Tuesday, there was another by-election in Long Eaton. Reform narrowly held off the Conservatives in this county division. Thank you to Samuel Briggs and the local team for flying the Liberal Democrat flag.

Derbyshire County Council, Long Eaton North
Reform UK: 745 (28.1%, – 7.7)
Conservative: 722 (27.2%, +4.2)
Labour: 579 (21.8%, -2.7)
Green Party: 314 (11.8%, +4.5)
Liberal Democrats (Samuel Briggs): 154 (5.8%, -3.6)
Derbs. Community Party: 141 (5.3%, new)

Reform UK HOLD

Thank you to all of our candidates, agents, and campaign teams. A full summary of these results, and all other principal council by-elections, can be found on the ALDC by-elections page here.

* Liam Yip is the Campaigns and Communications Intern at ALDC