We’re back for 2019 after a quiet January of by-elections. One by-election took place yesterday in Warlingham for Surrey County Council. In freezing weather, there was an unsurprising low turnout of 25% but a decent battle nonetheless.

Surrey CC, Warlingham – 31st January 2019
Con 1199 [48.1%; -8.1%]
LD Charles Lister 990 [39.7; +10.8%]
UKIP 176 [7.1%; -2.9%]
Lab 126 [5.1%; +0.3%]
Turnout 25%
Con Hold
Percentage change from 2017

Liberal Democrat candidate Charles Lister put on a strong campaign and managed to increase his vote by 10.8%. This increase saw Charles come within 210 votes of the Conservative candidate who lost 8.1% of their vote share. The result is a second place that gives optimism ahead of the local elections and should encourage hard work across the country between now and May. A solid result for Charles and the party, congratulations and keep up the good work!

Next week there are six by-elections taking place and some good contests expected. 

Bradford MB, Bolton & Undercliffe

Lab Seat. Cause: Death
LD: Rachel Sunderland 

Buckinghamshire CC, Totteridge & Bowerdean

Ind Seat. Cause: Death
LD Candidate: Ben Holkham

Lambeth LB, Thornton

Lab Seat. Cause: Resignation
LD Candidate: Rebecca Macnair

Tower Hamlets LB, Lansbury

Lab Seat. Cause: Resignation
LD Candidate: Muhammad Abdul Asad

Tower Hamlets LB, Shadwell 

Lab Seat. Cause: Resignation
LD Candidate: Abjol Miah

Wokingham BC, Evendons

LD Seat. Cause: Resignation
LD Candidate: Sarah Kerr
To help please contact Sarah at [email protected] or 07983 701367.

Thanks go to Carol Lindsay for reporting our by-elections last night and if you’re interested in helping us in our by-election reporting, contact us. 

If you have a spare hour you can find contact details of who to ring to help out on the forthcoming by-elections section of our website.

Or why not donate to the ALDC Fighting Fund so we can give more grants to local teams to help us win more by-elections.

Good luck to all our standing candidates and see you next week!

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* ALDC is the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors and Campaigners