Author Archives: Charles Quinn

There were 12 principal council by-elections this week (2 on Tuesday and 10 on Thursday) and it has been another very successful week for Lib Dem candidates. We registered yet another gain (this time from the Conservatives) as well as several holds and some very impressive second places.

For the second week in a row the results were tumultuous with many seats changing hands. But the 4 Lib Dem victories put us joint first with the Conservatives overall.

Our gain came on Perth and Kinross Council in Strathallan ward where Councillor Alan Watt took the Lib Dems from third place last time to gaining from the Conservatives on the fifth round of counting. Congratulations to Alan and the team in Perth on a great gain.

Perth and Kinross, Strathallan (first preference results, Lib Dems elected at stage 5)
Conservative: 1045 (32.1%, -14.5%)
Liberal Democrats (Alan Watt): 978 (30%, +18.6%)
SNP: 568 (17.4%, -17.6%)
Labour: 366 (11.2%, new)
Reform UK: 194 (6%, new)
Green Party: 107 (3.3%, -3.7%)

There was another by-election on Perth and Kinross council, this time in Perth City North ward. Thank you to Tina Ng-A-Mann for standing here for us and increasing the Lib Dem vote share. The SNP gained the seat from Labour.

Perth and Kinross, Perth City North (first preference results, SNP elected at stage 6)
SNP: 917 (44.7%, -10.5%)
Labour: 313 (15.3%, -0.1%)
Conservative: 296 (14.4%, -5.1%)
Reform: 209 (10.2%, new)
ALBA: 133 (6.5%, +4.3)
Liberal Democrats (Tina Ng-A-Mann): 95 (4.6%, +0.4)
Green Party: 87 (4.2%, +0.8)

There were two by-elections on Luton BC on Thursday, in Wigmore and Barnfield ward. Both were Lib Dem defences, and we successfully held both seats.

The first principal council by elections since our amazing General Election result too place this week. Four elections were held. We stood a Lib Dem candidate in all 4 and moved forwards in a number of places.

We had a tough defence in Argyll and Bute Council, in Kintyre and the Islands ward. We had finished 3^rd and picked up a councillor in the ward the 2022 local elections. This time, despite increasing our share of first preference votes, we were unable to hold the seat. Thank you so much to Douglas MacDonald for standing for us here. The SNP gained the seat in the fifth round of counting.

Argyll and Bute Council, Kintyre and the Islands
SNP: 728 (45%, +15%)
Conservative: 322 (19%, +9.5%)
Independent: 322 (19%, new)
Liberal Democrats (Douglas MacDonald): 281 (17%, +1%)
Freedom Alliance: 25 (1%, new)

There were two by-elections in Newham LBC on Thursday, and we moved forwards in both.

In Little Ilford ward we finished an impressive 3^rd place and increased our vote share as all other parties (Conservative, Labour and Green) saw their vote share fall. Well done and thank you to Akm Rahman for standing for us in this election and improving our performance.

Thank you to James Alan-Rumsby for standing in Beckton ward, which we did not contest in the previous election. A great effort to stand a candidate and make sure Lib Dem votes are counted.

Labour held both seats, despite a strong challenge from a local residents party.

The first by-election of 2024/25 electoral cycle took place this week in North Ayrshire.

It follows a brilliant set of local election results for our party as we won 522 seats (with a net gain of 104) and pushed the Conservatives into third place in the overall result.

We also gained 3 seats in local council by-elections held on 2 May which took our total net gains in the 2023/24 by-election cycle to 28. By far and away the best performance of any party with the Green Party in a distant second place with 8. Both the Conservatives and Labour have gone backwards in by-elections over the past year.

Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to everyone who has stood or campaigned in a by-election this year to contribute to our excellent results.

In the North Ayrshire by-election this week we contested Kilwinning ward. Thank you to Ruby Kirkwood for flying the flag for the Lib Dems here and achieving an increase in our vote share. Labour gained the ward from the Conservatives in the final result.

North Ayrshire Council, Kilwinning
Labour: 2171 (54.3%, +8.3%)
SNP: 916 (22.9%, -12%)
Conservative: 619 (15.5%, -0.1%)
Liberal Democrats (Ruby Kirkwood): 154 (3.9%, 0.5%)
Scottish Family Party: 136 (3.4%, new)

A full summary of all results can be found on the ALDC by-elections page here.

Included on this page are the by-elections we won on 2 May (full results from the rest of the 71 by-elections on 2 May will follow soon). There were some great results here including a gain from the Green Party on Torridge DC and gains from the Conservatives in Leicestershire CC and Huntingdonshire DC.

The final 2 council by-elections of the 23/24 civic year took place this week.

In Scotland, there was a by-election on Angus Council in Arbroath West, Letham & Friockheim ward. Thank you to Sandra O’Shea for not only standing for the Liberal Democrats here but working hard to secure an increase in Lib Dem vote share and a healthy 333 votes. The by-election was caused by the resignation of an Independent councillor. With no Independent standing this time the Conservatives gained the seat.

Thank you once again to Sandra and the local Lib Dem team in Angus for working so hard and moving the Lib Dems forwards here.

Angus Council, Arbroath West, Letham & Friockheim
Conservative: 1682 (41.9%, +10.5%)
SNP: 1175 (29.3%, -6.9%)
Labour: 644 (16.1%, +9.6%)
Liberal Democrats (Sandra O’Shea): 333 (8.3%, +3.9%)
Green Party: 176 (4.4%, +1.1%)

In Wales, there was a by-election on Cardiff Council in Grangetown ward. Thank you to James Bear for flying the Lib Dem flag in this election and making sure Lib Dem voters had someone representing them on the ballot.

Labour held the seat with a reduced vote share.

Cardiff Council, Grangetown
Labour: 1470 (47.5%, -5.6%)
Plaid Cymru / Green: 573 (18.5%, -9.3%)
Conservative: 387 (12.5%, +3.5%)
Propel: 292 (9.4%, +6.2%)
Independent: 205 (6.6%, new)
Liberal Democrats (James Bear): 123 (4%, -0.9%)
Independent: 44 (1.4%, new)

A full summary of all results can be found on the ALDC by-elections page here.

Next week there are over 70 principal council by-elections that have been called to coincide with local election polling day. Some are ‘double vacancies’ in wards that have existing local election contests. ALDC will report the results of these by-elections in the week following the local election and results will be recorded on our by-election results webpage.

Good luck to everyone standing in a by-election or local election contest next week.

There were 3 principal council by-elections this week. Two on Thursday and a rare election on Tuesday. Just like last week our Lib Dem candidates secured an excellent win and an extremely close second place in the elections we contested on Thursday.

Our win came on East Cambridgeshire DC in Ely West ward. The was a Lib Dem defence. Congratulations to Councillor Ross Trent and the East Cambridgeshire team for not only holding the ward but doing so by increasing our vote share by over 10%!

East Cambridgeshire DC, Ely West
Liberal Democrats (Ross Trent): 1125 (47.9%, +10.6%)
Conservative: 760 (32.2%, +10.3%)
Labour: 466 (19.8%, -2.7%)

We also contested the seat of Farnham Castle on Waverley BC. Despite not standing here in the last election Lib Dem candidate Theresa Meredith-Hardy finished second and was only 28 votes off winning – securing 30% of the vote and pushing Labour into third. This is a truly exceptional result and reward for the hard work put in by Theresa and the Waverley Lib Dem team. You’ll get it next time!

Waverley BC, Farnham Castle
Farnham Residents: 307 (32.5%, -17.6%)
Liberal Democrats (Theresa Meredith-Hardy): 279 (29.6%, new)
Labour: 217 (23%, -11.7%)
Conservative: 141 (14.9%, -0.2%)

There were just 2 principal council by-elections last week. Both were Liberal Democrat defences fought in difficult or unusual circumstances. However in both elections the Lib Dem candidates and campaign teams did themselves proud and achieved superb results.

We start in North Yorkshire Council where we successfully held Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone ward following the resignation of an Independent councillor elected as a Lib Dem.

Congratulations to Councillor Andrew Timothy and the local Lib Dem team on winning and  retaining the ward so decisively with a majority of over 400 and 43% of the vote. An impressive feat to uphold our majority with a larger set of party candidates than before. A marvellous win for the Lib Dems in North Yorkshire.

North Yorkshire Council, Hookstone Woodland and Stray
Liberal Democrats (Andrew Timothy): 1094 (43%, -7.8%)
Conservative: 768 (30.8%, -4%)
Green Party: 376 (15.1%, new)
Reform UK: 141 (5.7%, new)
Labour: 116 (4.6%, -2.6%)

As we get nearer to the local elections on 2 May the number of by-elections is naturally reducing a bit. However there is still a steady stream of by-elections each week between now and May that we will continue to report on. There were 3 principal council by-elections this week – including yet another Lib Dem victory.

Our win came on Cornwall Council where we held Looe West, Pelynt, Lansallos & Lanteglos ward. Congratulations to our new Councillor Jim Candy and Cornwall Lib Dems for holding the seat.

Cornwall Council, Looe West, Pelynt, Lansallos & Lanteglos
Liberal Democrats (Jim Candy): 604 (45%, -16%)
Conservative: 414 (31%, +1%)
Labour: 254 (19%, +11%)
Green Party: 75 (6%, new)

There were 4 principal council by-elections on Thursday night. The Liberal Democrats stood candidates in 3 of them and there was a lot of success to enjoy with a superb gain from the Conservatives and really good performances in places where we did not stand in the previous election.

Our gain came on Cambridgeshire County Council in Yaxley and Farcet ward. Here Councillor Andrew Wood overturned a 700 vote Conservative majority to win in a close three way contest. The win also makes the Lib Dems the largest group on the Council which was balanced at 22 councillors each for us and the Conservatives. We now have 23 to their 21 and continue to run the council as a joint administration with Labour and Independents. Congratulations to Councillor Wood and the Cambridgeshire Lib Dem team.

Cambridgeshire CC, Yaxley and Farcet
Liberal Democrats (Andrew Wood): 509 (31%, +5.6)
Conservative: 470 (28.6%, -28.3%)
Independent: 448 (27.3%, new)
Labour: 175 (10.6%, -7.1%)
Green Party: 42 (2.6%, +2.6%)

In the East Midlands, we contested Heckington Rural ward of North Kesteven District Council and finished a very strong third place having not stood here in the previous elections. Well done to Lib Dem candidate Susan Hislop for winning over 27% of the vote and finishing just 80 votes behind the winning Conservative candidate. From not standing last time that is an amazing accomplishment and puts us in a great position for the next election. Well done again to Susan and the team.

North Kesteven DC, Heckington Rural
Conservative: 425 (36.7%, -27.0%)
Independent: 369 (29.2%, new)
Liberal Democrats (Susan Hislop): 345 (27.3%, new)
Labour: 123 (9.6%, -29.3%)

This week has been a quiet one for principal council by-elections with just two being contested – including a resounding win.

We were defending Cricklade and Latton ward on Wiltshire Council. Not only did newly elected Councillor Nick Dye hold the ward for the Lib Dems – he did it in some style. Increasing the Lib Dem vote share by 14% and taking a staggering 76% of the vote. Considering the Conservatives, Labour and the Green Party all stood that is a truly impressive result. Congratulations to Councillor Dye and the whole Lib Dem team in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire UA, Cricklade and Latton
Liberal Democrats (Nick Dye): 1030 (76%, +13.9%)
Conservative: 253 (18.7%, -19.2%)
Labour: 45 (3.3%, new)
Green Party: 27 (2%, new)

The other by-election this week was on Lancaster City Council where the Green Party retained Castle ward. Thank you to Cormac Evans for flying the flag for us here and making sure that Lib Dem supporters were represented in the election.

Lancaster City Council, Castle
Green Party: 524 (65%, +6.4%)
Labour: 212 (26.3%, -3%)
Conservative: 43 (5.3%, -1.8%)
Liberal Democrats (Cormac Evans): 27 (3.3%, -1.7%)

It has been rare leap year by-election week. Thursday’s 5 council by-elections were the first to be held on February 29^th since 1996 and though they were a mixed set of results we can still celebrate 2 excellent Lib Dem wins – and the fact that we stood in every single contest.

There were 2 by-elections on the East Riding of Yorkshire Council in Minster & Woodmansey and Tranby wards, both of which were Lib Dem defences. We recorded stonking victories in both of them thanks to a brilliant effort from the local team.

Councillor Tony Henderson held Minster & Woodmansey ward with over 50% of the vote and a majority of over 700, moving the Lib Dem share of the vote forwards by 9% too.

In Tranby ward Councillor Ross Harrison received 55% of the vote and a majority of 550. The Lib Dem vote share increased by 4%.

Congratulations to Tony, Ross and the Lib Dem team in the East Riding of Yorkshire on two brilliant wins!

East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Minster and Woodmansey
Liberal Democrats (Tony Henderson): 1438 (51%, +9%)
Conservative: 706 (25%, -4%)
Labour: 495 (17%, -12%)
Green Party: 198 (7%, new)

East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Tranby
Liberal Democrats (Ross Harrison): 958 (55%, +4.1%)
Labour: 408 (24%, +3.1%)
Conservative: 268 (15%, +3.7%)
Green Party: 97 (6%, -2.5%)

There were also 2 by-elections on Horsham District Council on Thursday.

There was just one principal council by-election contested this week which took place in Scotland on Stirling Council.

Thank you to Lib Dem candidate Dick Moerman for standing for Liberal Democrats in Dunblane and Bridge of Allan ward and getting nearly 300 first preference votes. The ward was held by the Conservatives.

Stirling Council, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan
Conservative: 1644 (38%, +6.5%)
SNP: 1000 (23%, -3.9%)
Labour: 869 (20%, +7.8%)
Green: 433 (10%, -6.8%)
Liberal Democrats (Dick Moerman): 292 (7%, -3.1%)
Scottish Family Party: 50 (1%, +0.5%)

A full summary of all results for this week and previous weeks can be found on the ALDC by-elections page here.

The first council by-elections of 2024 were held this week. We began the new year in much the same way that we finished last year – by winning and moving forwards!

The first result declared in 2024 was a brilliant hold for the Lib Dems on Salford MBC. This was one of 4 principal by-elections contested and there were some very interesting results across the board.

The only place to start though is in Salford MBC where Councillor Paul Heilbron won Quays ward for the Liberal Democrats. We first won the ward in 2022 and just missed out in the 2023 local elections. We won on Thursday night with a 17.4% increase in our share of the vote from the 2023 result while Labour were down 12.6% from last May.

Congratulations to Paul and the Lib Dem team in Salford. This result is particularly special for ALDC as Paul is a former member of ALDC staff. His win restores our Lib Dem presence on Salford MBC too.

Salford MBC, Quays
Liberal Democrats (Paul Heilbron): 540 (54.8%, +17.4%)
Labour: 321 (32.6%, -12.6%)
Green Party: 124 (12.6%, +3.4%)

Very unusually the next by-election resulted in the winning Conservative candidate being unable to take up their seat – meaning another election will have to be run in the seat.

On Dorset Council the Conservatives won Littlemoor and Preston ward – holding onto it despite a brilliant performance by Lib Dem candidate Simon Clifford who increased the Lib Dem vote share by 19% and jumped from fourth to a very strong second. However as the winning Conservative candidate is employed by the council he is disqualified from taking up his seat and the seat will now remain vacant until the Dorset council elections in May. Congratulations to Simon and the team in Dorset for moving the Lib Dems forward so much in the seat with local elections just round the corner. The result was:

Dorset Council, Littlemoor and Preston
Conservative: 1,237 (54%, +25%)
Liberal Democrats (Simon Clifford): 833 (36%, +19%)
Labour: 232 (10%, -9.5%)

The final council by-election results of 2023 have been declared. We can look back on a brilliant, and historic year, of Liberal Democrat performances!

In total there were 197 principal council by-elections contested in 2023. The Liberal Democrats won 51 of these elections. Of these 26 were Lib Dem gains from other parties or independents.

That means, of all principal council by-elections in 2023, over a quarter resulted in a Lib Dem win – and one in eight resulted in a Lib Dem gain!

In total we made a net gain of 26 council seats in by-elections and countermanded elections over the course of the year. This is our joint third best performance since the merger in 1988 and comfortably the best of any party this year.

By contrast the Green Party had a net gain of 8, Labour had a net gain of 7, the SNP and Plaid were down a combined 6 seats and the Conservatives were down a net 31 councillors!

We finished an outstanding year for Council by-elections on a high this week. We won 2 of the 3 contests and put in a great showing in the third – moving forwards in our vote share everywhere.

There were 2 by-elections in Leicestershire. Firstly on Leicestershire CC we held Blaby and Glen Parva ward (which had previously been won by a Liberal Democrat who became an independent before resigning). Congratulations to Councillor Sue Jordan and the team on holding the seat, and doing so by increasing our vote by 12.5% and increasing our majority to over 650!

Leicestershire CC, Blaby and Glen Parva
Liberal Democrats (Sue Jorden): 989 (61.2%, +12.5%)
Conservative: 320 (19.8%, -13.7%)
Labour: 190 (11.8%, +1.8%)
Green Party: 116 (7.2%, -0.5%)

In the corresponding vacancy on Blaby DC we also held the seat of Glen Parva ward with an increased vote share. Congratulations to Councillor Andrew Savage and the team on winning over 60% of the vote and increasing the Lib Dem vote by 5.4%.

Blaby DC, Glan Parva
Liberal Democrats (Andrew Savage): 438 (60.6%, +5.4%)
Conservative: 140 (19.4%, -3.7%)
Labour: 102 (14.1%, new)
Green Party: 43 (6.0%, new)

We continued our incredible end of the year with one of the best weeks for local council by-election results that we have ever celebrated.

7 principal council seats were being contested across 6 wards this weeks – and we won 5 of them! This included 3 Lib Dem holds and 2 Lib Dem gains. Even the two seats that we didn’t win saw us miss out only very narrowly with a great improvement in our result from last time. There are so many fantastic results to delve into it is difficult to know where to start!

The first of our gains came on North Kesteven DC in Billinghay Rural ward, where newly elected Councillor Adrian Whittle beat the Conservatives by securing over 41% of the vote. This is a great achievement as we did not stand a candidate in the most recent election in this ward. Indeed nobody did as the Conservatives were uncontested here in 2023. This time round with a Lib Dem on the ballot paper we have pulled off a fantastic gain and elected our first Lib Dem councillor to North Kesteven District. Congratulations once again to Cllr Whittle and North Kesteven Lib Dems.

North Kesteven DC, Billinghay Rural
Liberal Democrats (Adrian Whittle): 354 (41.1%, new)
Conservative: 254 (29.5%)
Lincolnshire Independents: 225 (26.1%, new)
Independent: 29 (3.4%, new)

Our other gain came on Rugby BC in Dunsmore ward. There was a double vacancy in this ward caused by two Conservative resignations. Congratulations to Councillor Jonathan Bennett for gaining the top seat from the Conservatives as the Lib Dems topped the poll with 38% of the vote. The second seat was retained by the Conservatives – but well done to our candidate Trisha Trimble who finished so close with 548 votes (just 41 votes off taking the second seat). A brilliant performance all round. Congratulations to the team in Rugby.

Rugby BC, Dunsmore
Liberal Democrats (Jonathan Bennett): 613 (38%, +17.7% LD total)
Conservative: 588 (36.4%, -8.4% Con total)
Conservative: 557 (36.4%, -8.4% Con total)
Liberal Democrats (Trisha Trimble): 548 (38%, +17.7% LD total)
Labour: 299 (18.5%, -7.7% Lab total)
Labour: 256 (18.5%, -7.7% Lab total)
Green Party: 145 (9%, -7.7% Green total)
Green Party: 89 (9%, -7.7% Green total)

The Lib Dems continued our fantastic end to the year with 3 more principal council by-election wins this week. A total of 5 principal by-elections were contested.

All 3 wins came in the East of England. We start on Hertfordshire County Council and a stunning result in Harpenden Rural ward which newly elected Lib Dem councillor Allison Wren gained from the Conservatives with a 33% increase in share of the vote (and over 58% of the vote overall). This gain puts the Lib Dems on 24 net gains in council by-elections this year. Triple that of the Green Party in second place!

Congratulations to Cllr Wren and Hertfordshire Lib Dems on a brilliant win.

Hertfordshire CC, Harpenden Rural
Liberal Democrats (Allison Wren): 1474 (58.3%, +33%)
Conservative: 766 (30.3%, -26.8%)
Labour: 168 (6.6%, -4.1%)
Green Party: 119 (4.7%, -2.2%)

On St Albans DC we also held Sandridge and Wheathampstead ward with over 55% of the vote and 7% vote-share increase on last time. Congratulations to Cllr Simon Johns and the team in St Albans on a great win.

St Albans DC, Sandridge and Wheathampstead
Liberal Democrats (Simon Johns): 793 (55.9%,+7.1%)
Conservative: 480 (33.8%, -4.8%)
Green Party: 78 (5.5%, -1.2%)
Labour: 68 (4.8%, -1.2%)

Our other win of the night came on North Norfolk DC in Briston ward. Congratulations to Cllr Andrew Fletcher and the local team who held the ward for the Lib Dems with just shy of 50% of the total vote.

North Norfolk DC, Briston
Liberal Democrats (Andrew Fletcher): 342 (49%, -2.5%)
Conservative: 274 (39%, -1.5%)
Green Party: 64 (9%, new)
Labour: 15 (2%, -5.9%)

There were 6 principal by-elections this week. Lib Dem candidates contested 5 of the elections. As well as scoring a terrific gain in Bolton, every Lib Dem candidate moved forwards and increased our vote share – some spectacularly so!

The only place to start is Bolton MBC where there were 2 by-elections on Thursday.

We gained Westhoughton North & Hunger Hill ward from the Conservatives with an 11% increase in our vote share (while everyone else went backwards). Congratulations to Councillor Deirdre McGeown and the whole team in Bolton on a superb win.

Bolton MBC, Westhoughton North & Hunger Hill
Liberal Democrats (Deirdre McGeown): 959 (41.5%, +11.3%)
Conservative: 665 (28.8%, -0.7%)
Labour Party: 440 (19%, -1.1%)
Independent: 118 (5.1%, -5.3%)
Reform: 101 (4.4%, -0.7%)
Green Party: 28 (1.2%, -3.4%)

Also in Bolton, Kearsley ward was up for election. Thank you to Chris Cooper for flying the Lib Dem flag and making sure there was a Lib Dem option on the ballot paper.

Bolton MBC, Kearsley
Farnworth and Kearsley First: 1,081 (66%, +42.5%)
Labour: 365 (22.3%, +8.2%)
Reform UK: 121 (7.4%, +1.2%)
Conservative: 38 (2.3%, -6.9%)
Green Party: 18 (1.1%, new)
Liberal Democrats (Charles Cooper): 15 (0.9%)

We came within a whisker of another great gain in North Somerset DC in Wrington ward. Lib Dem candidate Samantha Louden-Cooke achieved 27.5% of the vote, despite there being no Lib Dem candidate there at the last election, and came within 50 votes of the winning Green Party candidate. Well done to Samantha and the Lib Dem team in North Somerset. A great result from nowhere and a brilliant base to build on.

North Somerset DC, Wrington
Green Party: 336 (32.7%, new)
Conservative: 297 (28.9%,+6.8)
Liberal Democrats (Samantha Louden-Cooke): 283 (27.5%, new)
Labour: 112 (10.9%, new)

There were 6 principal by-elections this week. Lib Dem candidates stood in 5 of the vacancies. There were some brilliant results to celebrate, including some excellent holds in Wales.

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The only place to start with the by-election roundup is Powys Council in Wales where we were defending two seats in Crickhowell with Cwmdu & Tretower. The two vacancies were caused by the resignation of Independent councillors who were elected as Liberal Democrats in 2022.

We achieved a superb result. Newly elected Lib Dem councillors Claire Hall and Chloe Masefield won with a combined 63.1% of the vote – increasing the overall Lib Dem vote share despite a greater number of parties standing.

Congratulations to Claire, Chloe and everyone who worked so hard in Powys to achieve two brilliant holds.

Powys Council, Crickhowell with Cwmdu & Tretower
Liberal Democrats (Claire Hall and Chloe Masefield): 1356 (63.1%, +3.1%)
Conservatives: 563 (26.4%, -13.6%)
Independent: 116 (5.4%, new)
Labour: 92 (4.3%, new)
Independent: 18 (0.8%, new)

This has been a busy week for council by-elections – and a very successful one too for the Lib Dems!

There were 8 principal by-elections and also some significant town / parish council by-elections. We made gains on councils in every tier!

There is a lot to celebrate and lets start on Buckinghamshire County Council where newly elected Cllr Anja Schaefer gained Buckingham East ward from the Conservatives with a sensational 28% increase in vote share – and jumping from 4^th to 1^st! Anja had contested the ward in 2017 and 2021. Congratulations on an amazing win and for showing that hard work and persistence pays off.

Buckinghamshire CC, Buckingham East
Liberal Democrats (Anja Schaefer): 690 (38.7%, +28.1%)
Conservative: 593 (34%, -9.6%)
Labour: 371 (21.3%, +5.8%)
Green Party: 81 (4.7%, -6.5%)

Next up we move to Elmbridge District Council where Cllr Kevin Whincup gained Molesey East ward from Molesey Resident’s Association – despite a strong Conservative challenge. Congratulations to Kevin and the team in Elmbridge for seeing off the Conservatives and giving us another Lib Dem gain to enjoy.

Elmbridge DC, Molesey East
Liberal Democrat (Kevin Whincup): 694 (36.1%, +17.5%)
Conservative: 627 (32.6%, +2.1%)
Resident Association: 523 (27.2%, -7.5%)
Green Party: 77 (4%, -4.4%)

(Ed: We have amended the percentage changes for this by-election to bring them in line with those announced by Britain Elects.)

Moving to Town and Parish Councils now and we had another great gain on Salisbury City Council where Cllr Ted Last gained Salisbury Harnham West ward. The seat was held by the Conservatives but they did not stand in this by-election. But Ted and the local team thrashed Labour and the Green Party taking well over half the vote in a comfortable win.

Salisbury City Council, Salisbury Harnham West
Liberal Democrats (Ted Last): 497 (56.7%)
Labour: 206 (23.4%)
Green Party: 175 (19.9%)

There were 5 principal council by-elections this week. There were some great performances from Lib Dem candidates to enjoy.

First of all though we would like to celebrate a fantastic gain on Oswestry Town Council as newly elected Lib Dem Councillor James Owen gained Cambrian ward from the Green Party. This was an excellent result on so many levels. Having not stood in the ward previously our win was achieved with over 55% of the vote (and a 43.8% swing from the Green Party!).

James becomes our first councillor on Oswestry TC. A council that is in the constituency of recently elected North Shropshire Lib Dem MP Helen Morgan, and this amazing result follows our gain from the Conservatives last week on Shropshire Council!

Congratulations to James and the team in Shropshire. This result shows we can take on the Green Party and beat them – resoundingly!

Oswestry TC, Cambrian ward
Liberal Democrats (James Owen): 233 (55.2%, new)
Conservative: 98 (23.3%, -24.3%)
Green Party: 85 (20.1%, -32.4%)

Beginning our round up of principal elections in London on Waltham Forest LBC where Highams Hill was being contested by Lib Dem candidate Alex Lewis. Labour held the ward but Alex and the local Lib Dems almost doubled our vote share, adding 7% to the Lib Dem vote and jumping ahead of the Green Party into second place.

On top of the major parliamentary by-elections this week there have also been some big council by-elections for the Lib Dems.

Results were good overall. We secured some brilliant increases in our vote share and one amazing gain from the Conservatives. The Conservatives lost all four council seats they were defending this week with some drastic falls in their share of vote. A truly disastrous week for them.

We start our round up on Shropshire Council where we took Alveley and Claverley ward from the Conservatives with a stunning 36.2% increase in our share of the vote!

Congratulations to Councillor Colin Taylor and the local Lib Dems in Shropshire on getting almost 60% of the vote. An outstanding performance!

Shropshire Council, Alveley and Claverley
Liberal Democrats (Colin Taylor): 662 (58.7%, +36.2%)
Conservative: 408 (36.3%, -33%)
Labour: 55 (4.9%, new)

Another brilliant increase in our share of vote came in Surrey County Council in Horsleys division. Lib Dem candidate Paul Kennedy increased our vote share by 25%. Sadly we just missed out on the seat by 72 votes. The seat was held by the Residents for Guildford and Villages group but their vote share, along with the Conservatives, tumbled.

Commiserations to Paul and Surrey Lib Dems but well done and thank you for such an amazing performance.

Surrey CC, Horsleys
Residents for Guildford & Villages: 1095 (39.3%, -8.5%)
Liberal Democrats (Paul Kennedy): 1023 (36.7%, +25.1%)
Conservative: 569 (20.4%, -17%)
Labour: 99 (3.5%, +0.3%)

It has been a quiet week for principal council by-elections with just two taking place. However there were positive results in both – including a great hold in Suffolk – and we also had a great town council gain too.

We held Woodbridge division on Suffolk County Council – winning over 50% of the vote. Congratulations to Councillor Ruth Leach and Suffolk Lib Dems on holding the seat in a more crowded election than when it was last fought with over half the vote.

Suffolk CC, Woodbridge
Liberal Democrats (Ruth Leach): 990 (51.2%, -12.3%)
Conservative: 642 (33.2%, -3.3%)
Labour: 301 (15.6%, new)

The other principal election this week was in Cheltenham Borough Council in Prestbury ward. Lib Dem candidate Ben Ingram moved the Lib Dem vote share forward by over 5% and jumped from 4^th to 3^rd place. A really good result. Thanks to Ben for standing. The ward was held by the People Against Bureaucracy Group.

Cheltenham BC, Prestbury
People Against Bureaucracy: 644 (32.7%, -8.5%)
Green Party: 484 (27.9%, +9.7%)
Liberal Democrats (Ben Ingram): 346 (20%, +5.4%)
Conservative: 258 (14.9%, -6.5%)

Finally we had a great gain reported to us on Great Aycliffe Parish Council in Shafto St Mary’s ward. Congratulations to Councillor Ben McAnaney and the team in Great Aycliffe for a great gain from Independent.

Great Aycliffe TC, Shafto St Mary’s
Liberal Democrats (Brian McAnaney): 260 (63.3%)
Independent: 151 (36.7%)