This was a mammoth week with of by-elections: 21 were held across the country, with 1 in Wales on Wednesday and the rest on Thursday across the country. Overall, the week saw Labour and independent losses while other parties have made gains. The Lib Dems, in particular, have doubled the seat count from 1 to 2, both victories being gains from the two major parties.
The first belongs to the Lib Dems in Southampton City Council, where Cllr George Percivall doubled the Lib Dem vote share in the Shirley ward and triumph over the second place Conservatives. Labour, who had previously held the seat, came third this time round. Well done and congrats to George and the Southampton team for making this win possible!
Southampton City Council, Shirley
Liberal Democrat (George Percivall): 1249 (39.2%, +19.3%)
Conservative: 770 (24.2%, -1.1%)
Labour: 764 (24.0%, -15.5%)
Green Party: 241 (7.6%, +0.5%)
Independent: 117 (3.7%, new)
TUSC: 44 (1.4%, -0.1%)
Another good showing of the Lib Dems see Cllr Jonathan Oxley in the Hanger Hill ward of Ealing LBC winning an impressive 52.3% of the vote. Congratulations to Jonathan and the Ealing Lib Dems for achieving this remarkable win over the Conservatives, who had previously held the seat.
Ealing LBC, Hanger Hill
Liberal Democrat (Jonathan Oxley): 1655 (52.3%, +19.4%)
Conservative: 814 (25.7%, -5.3%)
Labour: 315 (10.0%, -13.2%)
Green Party: 245 (7.7%, -5.1%)
Reform: 98 (3.1%, new)
Workers Party of Britain: 35 (1.1%, new)
It is a busy day in Ealing LBC, as two other by-elections were held in the Council. Labour held both wards (Northolt Mandeville and South Acton). Thank you to Pedro Da Conceicao and Timothy Hughes respectively for putting their names on the ballot for the Lib Dems. Let’s hope the success in Hanger Hill can carry through to other wards in the Council in the coming elections.
On the other side of the country was the Bamber Bridge West ward in South Ribble DC, where there was a close three-way race between the Conservatives, Labour, and the Lib Dems for the seat. Thank you to Paul Valentine and the local team for the hard work, getting a 22.3% vote share in an area we did not contest previously must not have been easy.