ALDC

ALDC’s by-election report 2 February 2017

By | Sat 3rd February 2018 - 8:55 am

February’s bumper set of by-elections started with a bang for us last night with a quite frankly ridiculous swing in Sunderland, as well as a tie for second place in Cornwall. It gives me great pleasure to inform you all that as of last night we are up 32.7% on previous corresponding elections.

A huge thank you to last night’s brilliant team of volunteers who make calls for these campaigns. ALDC’s grants are available to help in vital by-elections and are funded through vital fighting fund donations. If you can help us fight in even more wards, please donate here.

underland MB, Pallion – Lib Dem gain from Labour

LD Martin Haswell 1251 [53.9%; +49.5%]
Lab 807 [34.8%; -15.9%]
Con 126 [5.4%; -7.2%]
UKIP 97 [4.2%; -24.7%]
Green 39 [1.7%; -1.8%]

Can the rest of us have what you lot are having in Sunderland please? Almost exactly a year after the stunning success in Sandhill, Martin Haswell proved himself the be the best local candidate with the best local campaign focusing on:

Perhaps the greatest testament to the Sunderland team’s effort is that the turnout was higher in the by-election than in the last set of local elections (2016). It should provide proof to the rest of us that where we focus our efforts and run on local issues that matter to local people, we can, and will, win anywhere!
 
Cornwall UA, Falmouth Smithick – Labour hold
 
Lab 643 [60.2%; +19.9%]
LD John Spargo 184 [17.2%; -1.7%]
Con 184 [17.2%; -7.2%]
Green 57 [5.3%; -11.0%]
For this week’s other contest, we thank John Spargo and the Cornwall Lib Dems for a tie of second in what was a good result for Labour in the South West. Truro and Falmouth, which covers this ward, was arguably Labour’s best result in the South West (in terms of swing etc.), and the by-election was called as a result of the death of a popular local councillor, so this one was always going to be a tough one to gain. Perhaps another note to make from this week is the continuing poor performance of parties other than the main 3. It certainly seems that, in local elections anyway, we are seeing a rapid return to the genuine 3 party politics that dominated from the 70s up to 2010.

​

Next week we disappointingly are only standing candidates in 2 out of the 7 by-elections taking place, with a fair few taking place in the Midlands, and a couple on the South Coast. See you all next week!

For a detailed list of this week’s results please click here. If you would like more information on all the forthcoming by-elections and details on who to contact to help, click here.

* ALDC is the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors and Campaigners

Read more by or more about or .
This entry was posted in News.
Advert

5 Comments

  • nigel hunter 3rd Feb '18 - 10:05am

    It is fine to win local elections but we do need to also put across our national policies and show that we can run the country.

  • David Blake 3rd Feb '18 - 10:47am

    “It is fine to win local elections but we do need to also put across our national policies and show that we can run the country.”

    And to do that we have to know and discuss the philosophy behind the party.

  • Rick Heyse 3rd Feb '18 - 11:02am

    With the devastation of recent elections at Westminster, it’s clear we have to start rebuilding trust with the public. Working at grassroots level and rebuilding a strong local base is I feel paramount to achieving this and will allow us a track record to quote when standing for Parliament. But Nigel is right in saying we need to get across our national policies, especially in the face of mediocre coverage in the media. This does raise the question to many voters about what we actually stand for apart from our established Exit from Brexit and ratification referendum position. As I have said in previous posts and on facebook, we need 6 or 7 key policy pledges which can be used in our broadcasts, posters and leaflets which will deliver the Lib Dem message.
    Going back to local elections, I am very optimistic in the run up to May of further success. This will give the party coverage and an opportunity to use as a springboard. The question is what do w have to do to benefit from this potential springboard – and the key I believe is delivering those key 6 or 7 policies.

  • Sue Sutherland 3rd Feb '18 - 2:49pm

    I think this leaflet expresses what we Lib Dem’s are all about. Stopping people being overlooked or taken for a ride and making their lives better. This is expressed in local action here but our national policies should derive from the same spirit of defiance and love of justice. That’s what was missing in Coalition and I’m so glad it’s being renewed in such an exemplary fashion by Martin and the Sunderland team.

Post a Comment

Lib Dem Voice welcomes comments from everyone but we ask you to be polite, to be on topic and to be who you say you are. You can read our comments policy in full here. Please respect it and all readers of the site.

To have your photo next to your comment please signup your email address with Gravatar.

Your email is never published. Required fields are marked *

*
*
Please complete the name of this site, Liberal Democrat ...?

Advert

Recent Comments

  • paul barker
    A note on Reform, we have just seen the 2nd Poll showing Reform losing their lead. You might think that would attract some notice by Journalists or The Commenta...
  • Peter Chambers
    > Clearly the aircraft carriers were a pork barrel for Gordon Brown’s constituency. Doubtful. More to do with the US "pivot to Asia". The UK does not have...
  • Mark ValladaresMark Valladares
    @ Matt (Bristol), You use the word “vanguardism” as though politicians don’t have an obligation to lead, rather than merely following the loudest voice...
  • Mark Smulian
    I first worked with Michael on his three pamphlets published in the mid-1980s by Liberator and mentioned above by Geoffrey Payne. He was, obviously, an effectv...
  • Geoff Reid
    As well as being at the heart of the best Assembly/Conference coffee room conversations, Michael was for me the best compass we had over half a century. His lea...