Category Archives: Council by-elections

ALDC

2019: The ALDC Year of MORE

By ALDC | Wed 24th October 2018 - 2:45 pm

There are over 8,000 wards to fight in the 2019 local elections and we have the potential to make a lot of gains.

To help us make Thursday 2 May 2019 a resounding success we have set up a campaign – 2019: The ALDC year of MORE. We have four aims:

  1. More campaigners
  2. More candidates
  3. More councillors
  4. More councils

To wake up on Friday 3 May to a great set of results, as a Party, we need to be actively campaigning now.

We have a section on our website where we’ve been listing things that campaigners should be doing throughout the autumn. These …

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Paul Walter

++Lib Dems gain from Tories in Southwold and Reydon

By Paul Walter | Fri 13th July 2018 - 8:17 am

Congratulations to David Beavan and team on a stunning win in Southwold and Reydon.

This was a by-election for Waveney council caused by the sad death of Conservative councillor Sue Allen.

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Paul Walter

Lib Dems wins three seats on Southwark Borough Council in delayed election

By Paul Walter | Fri 15th June 2018 - 5:38 pm


Many congratulations to Humaira Ali, William Houngbo and Damian O’Brien on being elected to Southwark Borough Council in the new London Bridge & West Bermondsey Ward. This election yesterday was delayed from 3rd May following the sad death of Conservative candidate Toby Eckersley. Well done to the local Southwark team on achieving this great result while also helping in our very strong showing in the Lewisham East by-election. This result means that, overall in Southwark, we made a net gain in seats for this year’s elections.

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Paul Walter

+++Three Lib Dem by-election gains from the Tories tonight

By Paul Walter | Fri 20th April 2018 - 12:16 am


We’ve been live posting some of the results tonight but here are the headlines:

The Liberal Democrats have picked up three seats from the Tories in today’s by-election results:

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Paul Walter

Thatcham West by-election results – Live post to be updated as the results come in

By Paul Walter | Thu 19th April 2018 - 11:46 pm

There were two by-elections in Thatcham West, Berkshire today.One was for West Berkshire Council, caused by the disqualification due to non-attendance of a Conservative councillor. The councillor in question also resigned from Thatcham Town Council causing a second by-election on the same day.

Here’s the turnout numbers from West Berkshire Council:

This post will be updated as the results come in.

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Tahir Maher

I Can Feel it in The Air

By Tahir Maher | Wed 18th April 2018 - 2:00 pm

Canvassing in Wokingham

Ever since the 2015 general elections, knocking on doors has been difficult; almost a chore. I can’t say that residents were abusive, but they were certainly challenging, very direct and uncompromising. I remember at the conference after the 2015 general election we had one of the largest attendances ever, and the general atmosphere was very positive. This was all the more unexpected because of the media’s scorn for the party (which was very unfair) and the loss of so many MPs.

The attitude of my friends who supported me and the party changed. We had many discussions where they were critical.  When I asked them why and then presented facts which in most cases proved their arguments were baseless, the poor attitude towards the party remained, although they conceded the point.

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Also posted in News | 24 Comments
Paul Walter

++Stunning win for Dr Kate O’Kelly in Chichester and two other encouraging first-time performances in yesterday’s by-elections

By Paul Walter | Fri 13th April 2018 - 8:30 am


Many congratulations to Dr Kate O’Kelly and the team for a superb win in the Rogate by-election for Chichester District Council yesterday! This was the first time that the Lib Dems have contested this seat in eleven years, and my goodness what a stunning performance going from zero to 55.8% of the vote!

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ALDC

ALDC’s by-election report – 29 September 2016

By ALDC | Sat 1st October 2016 - 4:11 pm

ALDC Master Logo (for screen)This week has seen eight principal council by-elections across the country with Lib Dem candidates contesting six of them.

The team in North Norfolk have faced another by-election, this time in Glaven Valley with our great candidate Karen Ward. This was a Lib Dem defence and the team managed the following result:

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Matthew Green

Tooting: success from fusing the old with the new

By Matthew Green | Fri 19th August 2016 - 6:35 pm

Tooting bdy

Yesterday we had the best by election result in Wandsworth for the Lib Dems in many a year. A solid third place with 10.6% may not look like much, but it is a significant and positive step. It shows that the EU referendum has given the party a new opportunity. It also shows that contesting “hopeless” elections can be fun, and you can learn much in the process.

Why I am so pleased? I have been part of the Wandsworth Alliance/Lib Dem scene since 1984 – pretty much the moment that fortunes turned against us. We have always been the underperforming local area. Neighbouring Lambeth, Richmond and Kingston moved on to great things; even Merton and Hammersmith achieved the odd breakthrough; we had no electoral success whatsoever. In terms of members and money we were never especially weak by Lib Dem standards, but we struggled to make any impact whatsoever. Unless we committed heroic amounts of effort (notably Graveney ward in Tooting from 1966 to 2010 – hanging on to a second place) activity generated no noticeable impact in votes cast.

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ALDC

By-election report 20th August

By ALDC | Mon 24th August 2015 - 5:23 pm

ALDC Master Logo (for screen)

There were a couple of near misses last Thursday for Liberal Democrat candidates in principal council by-elections. Nathan Billings came agonisingly close to securing a gain in Camborne Pendarves ward in Cornwall (UA), finishing just 14 votes adrift of the Conservatives. In spite of not standing a candidate in the previous election in 2013, the Lib Dems polled 29% in finishing second place. With 30.3% of the vote, the Tories took the seat from UKIP, who saw their vote share plummet by 23.5% to finish a poor …

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Paul Walter

Nine seats held, nine seats gained since May 8th #libdemfightback

By Paul Walter | Sat 15th August 2015 - 2:10 pm

Well Done image (Aug 14 - website)
The Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors (ALDC) has been a fundamental engine of Liberal Democrat growth. Now, more than ever, they have a crucial role to play in helping to lead the Liberal Democrat fightback. And they have recently stepped up to the plate in spectacular style with their By-election HQ. This is a newly launched service which is a one-stop go-to website for all of us to find out information about council by-elections across the country. These are an essential way for the party to grow back.

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Jenni Hollis

Why I am standing in the Haringey by-election

By Jenni Hollis | Fri 14th August 2015 - 4:55 pm

Libby - Some rghts reserved by David SpenderTwo council by-elections have just been called in the Hornsey and Wood Green constituency. And – I’m pleased to say – I’ve been selected as the candidate for one of them.

It’s not the first time I’ve been involved in a Lib Dem campaign. I stood as a London target ward candidate in 2014, and then I ran Lynne Featherstone’s General Election campaign. Since then, I’ve helped Tim’s leadership campaign.

Now, I’m ready to take on this one. Here’s why.

Firstly, both wards are currently represented by a Labour-run Council and a Labour MP.

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Newsmoggie

++Lib Dems GAIN former council ward of Brecon and Radnor’s Conservative MP

By Newsmoggie | Fri 14th August 2015 - 8:55 am

Great news this morning.

Congratulations to Councillor James Gibson-Watt! Very well done to James and all the Brecon and Radnor team!

Details are:

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ALDC

By-election update: Near miss in Cambs, clean sweep in Abbots Langley

By ALDC | Tue 30th June 2015 - 2:50 pm

ALDC Master Logo (for screen)

Two principal council by-elections were held last Thursday. The Lib Dems in Cambridgeshire (CC) narrowly missed out on holding their seat in Romsey ward, falling 47 votes short of Labour. LD candidate Nichola Martin polled 35.2%, a decrease of 12.7% from the ward’s last election two years ago.

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ALDC

By-election update: Labour’s Oxford by-election tactics slammed

By ALDC | Fri 5th September 2014 - 5:25 pm

Election count progressingThere were three principal Council by-elections this week in Oxford, Shepway and Surrey Heath.

In Carfax ward (Oxford City Council) Labour held on with 168 votes (44.2%; +15.6%). Tony Brett, the Liberal Democrat candidate who finished fourth in May’s local election, came a respectable second with 101 votes (26.6%) and increase of 9% since May. The Green Party slipped from first in May to third on Thursday with 16.6% (-14.2%). The Conservatives and UKIP both polled 24 votes (6.3%).

Turnout in the ward was a record low of just 8.6%. …

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Mary Reid

By-election victory in Ludlow North

By Mary Reid | Tue 18th March 2014 - 1:54 pm

Congratulations to former Lib Dem Voice editor Andy Boddington on a resounding victory in the Council by-election in Ludlow North!

Winning in Ludlow North

Andy is the man in the hat – as always.

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The Voice

A good night for Lib Dems at the byelections

By The Voice | Fri 18th October 2013 - 10:45 am

Three cheers to Michael Gee who gained Dalston in Carlisle from the Conservatives last night. The Lib Dems also held local council seats in the South Lakes and Luton. Congratulations to Annie Rawlinson and Clive Mead.

GAIN in Carlisle

dalston

HOLD in South Lakes

levens

HOLD at Luton

luton

 

Also posted in News | 11 Comments
Mark Valladares

By-election watch: 10/11 April… Luton bringing me sunshine…

By Mark Valladares | Fri 12th April 2013 - 10:26 am

Ballot boxThree principal authority by-elections this week, two candidates and one win…

We start with Darlington, where Howard Jones was flying our flag in Lascelles ward, one which we didn’t fight in 2011. Plaudits should go the team there, who have demonstrated that there is a vote for us out there, if we make a case. The Conservatives were pushed into third place, perhaps reflecting national opinion polls that are showing them at their lowest level in this Parliament. The result was;

  • Helen Crumbie (Labour) – 426 votes (63%, -17%)
  • Howard Jones (Liberal Democrat)

…

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Helen Duffett

The other local elections: Lib Dems gain five and hold three

By Helen Duffett | Fri 16th November 2012 - 2:53 pm

The Liberal Democrats have gained five council seats and retained all three of their previously-held seats in the raft of council by-elections they were contesting yesterday.

In Wallsend, North Tyneside, Michael Huscroft gained from Labour with 58.2%, or 1158 votes.

David Siddans won in Rossett, Harrogate Borough Council, with 48.9% of the vote (897), in a 25.6% swing from the Tories.

From the Harrogate Advertiser:

Councillor John Fox, Constituency Chairman, Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats said: “This is the first Liberal Democrat gain from the Conservatives in the north of England this year. We are absolutely delighted to have overturned a

…

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Opinion: How CONNECT helped hold Chelmsford

By Nick Edwards | Thu 5th July 2012 - 2:23 pm

On Thursday 28th June, activists from all over the country and beyond helped secure two vital by-election wins in Chelmsford. Stephen Robinson was elected to the Chelmsford North division of Essex County Council, and Paul Bentham for the Patching Hall ward on Chelmsford City Council. In both elections, the Conservatives were well beaten into second place.

Stephen said:

I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped us make this victory possible. Having so many activists available helped us secure the legacy of long-serving Lib Dem incumbent Cllr. Tom Smith-Hughes, who sadly died earlier in the year.

Saffron Walden Constituency Chairman Nick Edwards, …

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Sara Bedford

Double wins for Lib Dems in Chelmsford

By Sara Bedford | Fri 29th June 2012 - 1:55 pm

Chelmsford Liberal Democrats are celebrating two big by-election wins this morning, after double vacancies caused by the death of Tom Smith-Hughes.

Paul Bentham became the new councillor for the Patching Hall ward of Chelmsford City Council, whilst Stephen Robinson was elected in the Chelmsford North division of Essex County Council.

The results were as follows:

PATCHING HALL
Lib Dem 842 (42%)
Con 488 (25%)
Lab 309 (16%)
UKIP 263 (13%)
Green 84 (4%)

CHELMSFORD NORTH
Lib Dem 1614 (42%)
Con 941 (25%)
Lab 711 (19%)
UKIP 435 (11%)
Green 128 (3%)

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Helen Duffett

Lib Dems hold Waterside, North Norfolk

By Helen Duffett | Fri 27th April 2012 - 11:23 am

From the Norfolk Evening News:

The Liberal Democrats have held on to the Waterside seat on North Norfolk District Council in a by-election caused by the resignation of former council leader Simon Partridge.

His place is taken by Paul Williams, whose 494 votes edged out Conservative Paul Rice who polled 410 in a six-way fight that saw a turnout of 42pc in the ward which covers Catfield, Potter Heigham, Ludham and Hickling.

Labour’s Denise Burke was third with 246 just ahead of UKIP’s Jeffrey Parkes with 233.

Bringing up the rear were the Green Party’s Anne Filgate with 73 and Jean Partridge, Mr

…

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Helen Duffett

This week’s council by-election results: 1 March 2012

By Helen Duffett | Fri 2nd March 2012 - 7:13 pm

Almost a clean sweep for the Liberal Democrats this week, winning five out of the six local council by-elections. There were three gains and two holds by the party, and in Castle ward, Cumbria, there was actually a swing towards the Lib Dems, although the party lost the seat to Labour.

Notably, Shamblehurst – in Chris Huhne MP’s Eastleigh constituency – was held by a wide margin, as Chris Huhne’s website reports:

The Liberal Democrats have secured an overwhelming vote of confidence from Eastleigh Borough residents in a Hedge End by-election that took place yesterday.

Liberal Democrat candidate Richard Effeny secured the

…

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Helen Duffett

This week’s council by-election results: Lib Dems GAIN in Towcester

By Helen Duffett | Fri 10th February 2012 - 1:06 pm

Vote Toaster

From the Independent:

Liberal Democrats made two landslide gains from Tories in the latest council by-elections, suggesting their voting support has not been dented after the resignation from the Government of Chris Huhne.

Their candidate Chris Lofts took Northamptonshire County Council’s Towcester division on a massive swing of more than 30% since the 2009 shire polls.

Party colleague Lisa Samiotis triumphed at Towcester Brook, South Northamptonshire District.

This brings the total of Lib Dem gains this month to three, after a win from Labour last week.

This week’s results, courtesy of ALDC are as follows:

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Helen Duffett

Council by-election results: 29 September 2011

By Helen Duffett | Fri 30th September 2011 - 7:54 pm

Gwynedd UA, Penrhyndeudraeth
PC 515 (61.4; +2.9)
Llais Gwynedd 233 (27.8; -13.7)
Ind 91 (10.8; +10.8)
Majority 282
Turnout not known
PC hold
Percentage change is since May 2008.

Gwynedd UA, Diffwys and Maenofferen
PC 210 (57.9; +16.7)
Llais Gwynedd 153 (42.1; -7.2)
Majority 57
Turnout not known
PC gain from Llais Gwynedd
Percentage change is since May 2008.

Watford Borough Council, Nascot
LD Jeanette Aron 1021 (48.5; +2.8)
Con 818 (38.8; +2.5)
Lab 134 (6.4; -5.3)
Green 133 (6.3; 0.0)
Majority 203
Turnout 34.29%
LD hold
Percentage change is since May 2011.

Shropshire UA, Bishop’s Castle
LD Charlotte Barnes 801 (53.4; +5.7)
Con 544 (36.3; -4.3)
Lab 80 (5.3; +5.3)
Green 74 (4.9; -6.8)
Majority 257
Turnout 51.3%
LD hold
Percentage change is since June 2009.

Cherwell DC, Bicester North
Con 443 (65.9; …

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Helen Duffett

Council by-election results: 22 September 2011

By Helen Duffett | Fri 23rd September 2011 - 6:53 pm

Barwell by-election
Barwell Parish Council, St Mary’s
LD John Cullinane 302 (57.5)
Ind 130 (24.8)
Lab 93 (17.7)
Majority 172
Turnout 14.35%
LD hold.

Fenland DC, Staithe
Con 228 (42.0; -13.1)
Lab 166 (30.6; +1.8)
LD Robert McLaren 90 (16.6; +16.6)
UKIP 39 (7.2; -8.9)
Ind 20 (3.7; +3.7)
Majority 62
Turnout 28.8%
Con hold
Percentage change is since May 2011.

Wisbech TC, Staithe
Con 223 (41.1)
Lab 171 (31.5)
LD Nicky Smith 97 (17.9)
UKIP 52 (9.6)
Majority 52
Turnout 28.9%
Con hold

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Helen Duffett

Council by-election results: 25 August 2011

By Helen Duffett | Fri 26th August 2011 - 6:49 pm

North Ayrshire UA, Saltcoats and Stevenston
First preference votes:
Scottish Labour Party 1914 (48.7; +13.9)
SNP 1306 (33.2; +1.2)
Scottish Conservative 284 (7.2; -0.4)
All Scotland Pensioners Party 211 (5.4; +5.4)
Independent 114 (2.9; +2.9)
LD Gordon Bain 56 (1.4; +1.4)
Socialist Labour Party 43 (1.1; +1.1)

Turnout 25.42%
Lab hold
Percentage change is since May 2007.
Labour elected at Stage 5.
For full details use the link:
http://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/NewsArticles/InfoZone/ByElection2011%20result.aspx

Bolsover DC, Shirebrook South West
Lab 200 (47.8; +15.6)
Green 103 (24.6; +24.6)
Con 72 (17.2; +11.1)
BNP 43 (10.3; +0.7)

Majority 97
Turnout not known
Lab gain from Ind
Percentage change is since May 2011

Full by-election info and commentary at the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors.

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Stephen Tall

Lib Dems win council seat from the Tories in… Eton

By Stephen Tall | Fri 12th August 2011 - 7:35 pm

As Helen Duffett’s Lib Dem Voice council election results round-up highlighted, the Lib Dems last night gained a seat from the Conservatives — in a seat that might have been thought to be True Blue territory, Eton and Castle ward in the Berkshire borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

Congratulations to George Fussey! Here’s how the BBC reported it:

Mr Fussey won on Thursday night with 208 votes, beating Tory candidate Adam Demeter who had 182 votes. … Mr Fussey has lived in Eton for 25 years and is also a governor at Windsor Girls’ School. He is the second

…

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Helen Duffett

Council by-election results: 11 August 2011

By Helen Duffett | Fri 12th August 2011 - 3:53 pm

Islington LBC, St Peter’s
Lab 1167 (52.5; +17.5)
LD David Sant 440 (19.8; -9.6)
Con 381 (17.1; -9.1)
Green 176 (7.9; -1.4)
Ind 59 (2.7; +2.7)
Majority 727
Turnout 24.78%
Lab hold
Percentage change is since May 2010.

Windsor and Maidenhead UA, Eton and Castle
LD George Fussey 208 (47.4; +19.6)
Con 182 (41.5; -23.7)
Lab 32 (7.3; +0.3)
UKIP 17 (3.9; +3.9)
Majority 26
Turnout 24%
LD gain from Con
Percentage change is since May 2011

North Devon DC, Fremington
Ind 501 (46.9; +5.2)
Con 308 (28.8; +16.2)
Ind 196 (18.3; -13.6)
Green 64 (6.0; +6.0)

Majority 193
Turnout 29.99%
Ind hold
Percentage change is since May 201

Dawlish TC, Central and North East
Ind (Voice for Dawlish) 323 (45.6)
LD Judith Robins 311 (43.9)
Green 75 (10.6)
Majority 12
Turnout 16%
Ind …

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The Voice

Lib Dems gain council seat in David Laws’s constituency

By The Voice | Fri 5th August 2011 - 11:21 pm

The Press Association reports:

Liberal Democrats gained from Tories in this week’s only reported council by-election amid signs of revival in some areas following the hacking scandal.

Candidate Michael Maxwell won Somerset County Council’s South Petherton division on a big swing.

It is covered by the Yeovil constituency of the party’s former Cabinet minister David Laws.

The result comes after it defied Labour at Warrington last week by winning in a marginal ward where it had lost another seat in May’s main contests.

This suggests that Lib Dems could be benefiting from their lack of high level links to the Murdoch empire.

RESULT

Somerset County – South

…

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