It has been a relatively quiet week for principal council by-elections – but a very successful one for the Lib Dems. Of the 3 elections held we won 2 of them! With one hold and one gain we are the undisputable winners this week!

The first election was held on Wednesday on Powys County Council in Wales in Talybont-on-Usk ward. Congratulations to Councillor Raith Devlin and the team in Powys on holding this seat so convincingly – increasing the Lib Dem share of vote by a whopping 23%.

This is the third by-election we have won in Powys in as many weeks. So well done to Powys Lib Dems on a great hat trick of victories. 3 wins in 3 weeks will take some beating.

Powys County Council, Talybont-on-Usk
Liberal Democrats (Raith Devlin): 352 (51%, +23.4%)
Conservative: 241 (34.9%, +10.8%)
Independent: 83 (12.0%, -13.4%)
Independent: 14 (2%, -28.8%)

On Thursday we scored out second win of the week. This time an amazing gain in Queen Edith’s ward on Cambridge City Council from an Independent councillor. Congratulations toCouncillor Immy Blackburn-Horgan and the team in Cambridge. A great gain in a competitive election with all 4 main parties standing.

Cambridge City Council, Queen Ediths
Liberal Democrats (Immy Blackburn-Horgan): 745 (35%, -2.9%)
Labour: 678 (31.8%, +8.1%)
Conservative: 454 (21.3%, +1.9%)
Green Party: 252 (11.8%, +1.6%)

The final principal by-election this week was in London on Newham LBC in Plaistow North ward. Thank you to David Terrar for flying the Lib Dem flag here – particularly as there was no Lib Dem candidate here last time. A great step forwards. The seat was won by an Independent councillor from Labour.

Newham LBC, Plaistow North
Independent: 1266 (46.3%, new)
Labour: 751 (27.4%, -39.1%)
Independent: 274 (10%, new)
Conservative: 257 (9.4%, -6.8%)
Green Party: 113 (4.1%, -13.2%)
Liberal Democrats (David Terrar) – 73 (2.7%, 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.