Author Archives: Chris Ward

This week saw 4 by-elections with 3 Liberal Democrat candidates – an improvement on last time these wards were up for election. These were two Labour defences, with one each defended by the Conservatives and the SNP.

The Lib Dems were new onto the ballot in Whetstone ward in Barnet, as Luigi Bille secured 6.1% of the vote in a crowded field. Thank you, Luigi, for entering us into the race!

Barnet London Borough Council, Whetstone
Labour: 965 (33.4%, -18.0)
Conservative: 818 (28.4%, -7.8)
Reform UK: 592 (20.5%, new)
Green Party: 208 (7.2%, -5.1)
Liberal Democrats (Luigi Bille): 176 (6.1%, new)
Rejoin EU: 65 (2.3%, new)
TUSC: 47 (1.6%, new)
Independent: 13 (0.5%, new)

Labour HOLD

Another place we were new onto the ballot was Clydebank Waterfront in West Dunbartonshire. Lib Dem candidate Cameron Stewart finished ahead of both the Conservatives and the Greens. Thank you, Cameron.

West Dunbartonshire Council, Clydebank Waterfront
SNP: 1039 (35.6%, -16.7)
Reform UK: 768 (26.3%, new)
Labour: 739 (25.3%, -12.1)
Liberal Democrats (Cameron Stewart): 138 (4.7%, new)
Conservative: 84 (2.9%, new)
Green Party: 76 (2.6%, new)
Alba: 47 (1.6%, new)
SFP: 25 (0.9%, -1.7)

SNP HOLD

Following the 95 local by-elections we saw on the undercard for the 1^st May elections, we returned this week to a rather more sedentary two. On Thursday 8^th May, there was a Labour defence in Calderdale, and a Liberal Democrat defence in Eastleigh.

Congratulations to Cllr Mark Harding and the team in Eastleigh, for not only successfully defending the Eastleigh Central seat, but increasing the Lib Dem vote share.

Eastleigh District Council, Eastleigh Central
Liberal Democrats (Mark Harding): 1020 (46.6%, +9.2)
Reform UK: 611 (27.9%, +20.0)
Labour: 319 (14.6%, -18.8)
Conservative: 149 (6.8%, -7.0)
Independent: 90 (4.1%, new)
Liberal Democrat HOLD

Elsewhere, Alexander Gow flew the Lib Dem flag in Skircoat, whilst Labour lost to Reform. Well done to the team in Calderdale for adding to the share of the vote here, and overtaking the Conservatives in the process!

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Skircoat
Reform UK: 1392 (36.8%, new)
Labour: 1059 (28%, -23.1)
Green Party: 566 (14.96%, +0.2)
Liberal Democrats (Alexander Gow): 411 (10.9%, +2.7)
Conservative: 355 (9.4%, -15.7)
Reform UK GAIN from Labour

Thank you to all of our candidates, agents, and campaign teams.