The Lib Dems are celebrating two resounding victories in Hertfordshire this week.
On Hertfordshire County Council we held the seat of Hitchin South with a majority of over 1700 votes and a 72% share of the vote. Our vote increased by a massive 34%. Well done to Councillor Keith Hoskins and the local Lib Dem team on a brilliant result:
Hertfordshire County Council, Hitchin South ward Liberal Democrat (Keith Hoskins): 2401 Conservative: 690 Green: 223 Christian People’s Alliance: 35
The Lib Dems held a further seat in Hitchin – this time Hitchin Highbury on North Hertfordshire District Council – with a fantastic 67% of the vote, a majority of just under 800 and an 18.5% increase in their share of the vote.
Congratulations to Councillor Raj Bhakar and the team for a brilliant result.
Well done to everyone in Hitchin on a fantastic night.
North Hertfordshire District Council, Hitchin Highbury Liberal Democrats (Raj Bhakar): 1238 Conservatives: 450 Green: 134 Christian People’s Alliance: 27
I’m doing the by-election results for ALDC tonight, with the help of some strong painkillers. I had a bit of a fall yesterday and hurt my hip. Nothing serious, but it is sore.
Tonight’s results got the endorphins flowing though. Not one, not two, not three but FOUR gains.
One gain came in one of the Toriest parts of Oxfordshire, where we haven’t had a councillor for 15 years.
A great story from Rutland where Paul Browne was elected half a century after first standing as a Liberal candidate in 1970
In gaining Oakham South tonight our great Lib Dem winning candidate Paul Browne has been elected to public office for the first time having first stood as a Liberal candidate over half a century ago in the 1970 general election! https://t.co/qqhsJv24rT
We have two new Liberal Democrat Councillors in the Highlands, gaining seats from Independents in Wick and East Caithness and Inverness West.
The Wick result was particularly pleasant because our 2017 result saw us in 9th and last place with 172 votes. New candidate Jill Tilt topped the poll on first preferences by 35 votes today. I’m fairly certain we got at least that many people out to vote in our polling day Maraphone today.
Highland Council #byelection – Ward 3 results have been declared and Jill Tilt, Scottish Liberal Democrats has been elected pic.twitter.com/M2O78eryL6
On paper, Inverness was a better prospect as we already have a well loved local councillor in the ward, Alex Graham. I went canvassing there at the beginning of July when I was up on holiday and it felt promising. It was great to see the fantastic Colin Aitken become our youngest councillor in Scotland.
Highland Council #byelections – The declaration of results for Ward 13 will soon be announced
Thanks to the Liberal Democrats in coalition with Labour, we have STV for Council elections in Scotland, which means AV for by-elections. The SNP were ahead by 40 on first preferences, but Colin won it on transfers.
It’s great to have local government by-elections back, especially when we have as good a night as we did last Thursday.
We have a really good chance of gaining two new councillors in the Highlands on August 12th.
Colin Aitken is hoping to gain the Inverness West seat from Independent and Jill Tilt is hoping to gain Wick and East Caithness, also from Independent.
Liberal Democrat councillors are currently in administration with the Labour and Independent groups in this vast council which stretches from the north coast to Skye , Lochaber and more than 50 miles south of Inverness.
It takes a good 2.5-3 hours to drive between the two wards, although the journey is much easier than it was when I used to do it frequently in the 80s.
Colin and Jill have been setting out what they want to achieve as Councillors for their areas.
The first of six council by-elections declaring tonight was a good start – a hold, albeit by a mere 6 votes in Somerset West and Taunton’s Old Cleeve and District
Great news from Somerset – Lib Dems HOLD Somerset West and Taunton Old Cleeve and District: Lib Dem Steve Griffith 500 44.9%
Conservative 494 44.3%
Independent 120 10.8%
And so close in Devon
So close. Mid Devon DC Upper Culm
Conservative 361 Lib Dem Sean Ritchie 346 Green 74 Labour 31 Conservative hold.
There should be another result from Tandridge but I can’t find it anywhere right now. We’ll update this post tomorrow with that, the Kent result and East Garioch (pronounced Geary) …
In a by-election, the focus on the candidate is huge. Every utterance is monitored and liable to blow up a minefield.
I remember David Rendel, returning to the 1993 Newbury by-election HQ after a long evening’s canvassing. Just outside the entrance he was approached by, ostensibly, a member of the public who wanted to express their support for him. It turned out that they had a microphone stuck up the back of their jacket and were trying to catch David off-guard. Their plan failed. Apart from anything else, David on-the-record was just like David off-the-record!
You can imagine how much I enjoyed writing Cllr Liz Barrett in the ehadline. I am still ridiculously excited about Cllr Barrett’s victory in the Parth City South by-election on
Liz is the second person in her household to be elected a Councillor. Her husband Peter has represented Perth City Centre ward since 2003. We will let him away with getting Liz’s ward wrong in his tweet.
Liz has written an email to party members about how she won:
Subject: Here’s how I WON in Perth South
Three years ago I missed out on becoming Perth City South Councillor in a by-election, but last Thursday I WON! We came from third place, beat the Tories, and took a seat off the SNP.
It’s no secret the last few years have been tough for our party. Couple that with a global pandemic and associated restrictions, it’s easy to get caught up in a campaigning black hole.
But, I can tell you, working hard locally really does put you in pole position to reap the rewards.
We have been campaigning non-stop through surveys, petitions, street letters and regular Focus leaflets ever since I lost that day three years ago. Since lockdown, we’ve been sending e-news to over 350 residents, and growing.
In July, we stole a march on both the Conservatives and SNP by getting two leaflets out in quick succession after deliveries were authorised by the Party.
We also knew we had to get our message across the doorsteps in person, so, when rules have allowed, a team of us have been out pounding the pavements, talking to residents and hearing their concerns.
I have known Liz for a long time and she is one of the most competent and caring people I have ever met. She spent the pandemic making PPE for carers and organising a community foodbank. She was just 29 votes from victory in a by-election in the ward almost exactly three years ago and she hasn’t stopped working since.
She joins Scottish Party President Willie Wilson as Councilor for the ward.
Here’s the result of the first preferences count. She’s only 75 votes behind the SNP but wins on transfers under the AV system.
Perth and Kinross UA, Perth City South LD Liz Barrett 1823 [31.6%; +2.8%] SNP 1898 [32.9; +0.8%] Con 1698 [29.4%; -1.8%] Lab 204 [3.5%; -2.1%] Grn 135 [2.3%; +0.5%] UKIP 18 [0.3%; +0.3%] pic.twitter.com/VjzpM7N0l5
Three results in so far from last night’s by-elections.
It was disappointing to lose a seat in Chichester. It was a seat that we had held only briefly in a new ward, when we won narrowly in May. Our councillor promptly left us, joined the Greens and resigned from the Council, so the chances are that we were being punished.
It was another brilliant night on the by-election front for the Lib Dems.
Two years ago we narrowly missed out on gaining the North East Fife parliamentary seat by just two votes. And that was the same margin by which we lost out on gaining Dunfermline Central on Fife Council. Aude Boubaker-Calder had run a passionate and spirited campaign and more than tripled the first preference votes and ran the SNP extremely close. She is in a very good position for the next Council elections in 2022.
Dunfermline Central (Fife) By-Election, votes at stage 5 (final round head to head, changes vs similar stage 2017);
SNP – 1798 (39.1%, +5.4) Lib Dem – 1796 (39.0, +39.0) Didn't Transfer – 1008 (21.9%, -3.3)
I have incredibly fond memories of Llandrindod Wells this Summer. I spent a very restorative weekend there and in many beautiful villages delivering leaflets and canvassing. I was so proud when Jane Dodds won.
So I am particularly thrilled to see that we have crushed the Tories in a by-election in Llandrindod Wells, taking a Powys County Council seat from them by some margin.
Clarence ward in St Albans is a stronghold for us anyway, but we managed to increase our vote even further with this strong hold. Congratulations to the St Albans team and new Councillor Josie Madoc.
West Sussex County Council Three Bridges Division Conservative1102(52%) Labour628(29%) Liberal Democrats257(12%) Green Party136(6%) Justice Party9 Turnout25%
Just one by-election last night, and it provided a very encouraging result for the Liberal Democrats. In Meole in Shropshire, Adam Feifer slashed the Conservative majority and overtook Labour to finish a strong second.
Meole, Shropshire
Con 37.6% (-17.8) Lib Dem Adam Fejfer: 26.5% (+14.4) Labour: 24.6% (-2.9) Green 11.3% (+6.3)
If you’ve actually been asleep and not, like me, sat up all through the night to wait for the results, here’s a summary of the overnight electoral gymnastics.
Let’s start with a good local by-election:
Hazel Grove (@StockportMBC)@LibDems (Charles Gibson) 1401 (45.7%, +0.8%) Con 1194 (38.9%) Lab 329 (10.7%) Green 142 (4.6%)
I’m writing this at 3:30 am when I have had more gin than is wise and I have just about stopped crying with happinesss. Jane Dodds MP. That sounds good.
We did it! will never forget that shot of Shaun Roberts and Dave McCobb on Sky News. They were smiling, and looking very smug indeed.
People in Brecon and Radnorshire have sent a powerful message.
34 years ago a Liberal victory sparked a liberal revival.
People demand better.
The message from me and our new leader – is that you can have better, and better with the Liberal Democrats. This victory must be a turning point for not just for b and r but for our whole country too.
There is no time for tribalism when our country is faced with the threat of a no deal brexit.
My first act as MP will be to find Boris wherever he is hiding and tel him to rule out no deal Brexit now.
This is a time when people who share liberal values must work together which is why I want to thank the Green Party and Plaid Cymru to back me this time.
It is an immense privilege to follow in the footsteps of Roger Willians and Richard Livesey.
I am so glad I went down and spent those 4 days in Llandrindod Wells. LDV team members spent about 18 days there in all.
If you want to get to know Jane and what makes her tick better, here is my interview with her from two weeks ago on Saturday.
Good news to wake up to this morning. The Liberal Democrats have gained not one but TWO Council seats in Gloucester – one each from Labour and the Conservatives. The one from Labour was proper knife edge stuff. Not between us and Labour, who absolutely tanked because, you know, what is the point of them these days? We won by three votes from the Conservatives.
There was a nail biting recount in Podsmead where Sebastian Field triumphed and Ashley Bowkett won in Barnwood.
🚨LD GAIN: Ashley Bowkett GAINS Tory seat in Barnwood ward. That means Barnwood is now Yellow.
Ashley Bowkett, LD: 676 Chris Clee, Lab: 64 Jonathan Ingleby, Green: 59 Fred Ramsey, Con: 496 Peter Sheehy, Brexit Party: 152 Matthew Young, UKIP: 6
Let’s hear it for the amazing Merton Machine and Cllr Jennifer Gould. Super Six now becomes Magnificent Seven!
Congratulations to our wonderful candidate @JeniferGouldCH and the whole Merton Lib Dem team on gaining a 7th councillor tonight! 🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶🔶 pic.twitter.com/vUTeXhUVsc
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
LD Charles Lister 990 UKIP 176 Lab 126 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.
ALDC is always first with the by-election results and they’ve decided to recruit a team of volunteers to report them.
Tonight's by-election reporting comes from @caronmlindsay. Caron is on the exec of ASLDC and is editor of @libdemvoice. Thank you very much for helping and if you're interested in helping send us a message! pic.twitter.com/AmEV6SBT9k
It’s a great way to get involved and it’s something you can do on your sofa in your pyjamas while watching Question Time. Don’t worry, I won’t post a photo.
All you need to do is keep an eye on a couple of places on the internet and post the results in a few places.
Tonight, there’s just the one by-election – Warlingham division on Surrey County Council. The Conservatives are defending and last time round we came second. Our candidate, Charles Lister, has fought the ward twice before, in 2017 and 2013.
So now, we wait.
And it was worth sitting up for – a really good increase in vote share.
It’s fair to say 2018 has been a great year for the Lib Dems with some resounding successes in by-elections nationally.
We made 26 fantastic gains, with 19 of these coming from the Conservatives! A full list of our 26 excellent gains is below:
Arun DC, Marine – LD Matt Stanley gain from Conservative.
Aylesbury Vale DC, Quainton – LD Scott Raven gain from Conservative.
Bath & North East Somerset UA, Kingsmead – LD Sue Craig gain from Conservative.
Broadland DC, Aylesham – LD Sue Catchpole gain from Conservative
Chesterfield BC, Moor – LD Tony Rogers gain from Labour.
Chichester DC, Rogate – LD Kate O’Kelly gain from Conservative.
Dacorum BC, Northchurch – LD Lara Pringle gain from Conservative.
East Hertfordshire DC, Watton-at-Stone – LD Sophie Bell gain from Conservative.
Hertfordshire CC, Three Rivers Rural – LD Phil Williams gain from Conservative.
Highland UA, Caol & Mallaig – LD Denis Rixson gain from SNP.
Mendip DC, Wells St. Thomas – LD Tom Ronan gain from Conservative.
North Norfolk DC, Worstead – LD Saul Penfold gain from Conservative.
North Yorkshire CC, Knaresborough – LD David Goode gain from Conservative.
South Northamptonshire DC, Whittlewood – LD Abigail Medina gain from Conservative.
South Oxfordshire DC, Benson & Crowmarsh – LD Sue Cooper gain from Conservative.
Southwark LB, London Bridge & West Bermondsey – LDs Humaira Ali, William Houngbo and Damian O’Brien (2 gains in New ward boundary.
Sunderland MB, Pallion – LD Martin Haswell gain from Labour.
Teignbridge DC, Chudleigh – LD Margaret Evans gain from Conservative.
Teignbridge DC, Dawlish Central & North East – LD Martin Wrigley gain from Conservative.
Warrington UA, Lymm South – LD Anna Fradgley gain from Conservative.
Warwickshire CC, Stratford North – LD Dominic Skinner gain from Independent.
Waveney DC, Southwold & Reydon – LD David Beavan gain from Conservative.
West Berkshire UA, Thatcham West – LD Jeff Brooks gain from Conservative.
West Somerset DC, Alcombe – LD Nicole Hawkins gain from UKIP.
West Somerset DC, Minehead South – LD Benet Allen gain from Independent.
We successfully defended 18 seats too. Holding onto seats relies on excellent work from campaigners on the ground and from candidates taking time out of their lives to represent the Party.
Along with these 18 holds there were also eight tough losses, however we’re sure that with hard work and perseverance these seats can be won back next time round. Standing a candidate is extremely important in ensuring that people always have the option of voting for the Lib Dems.
By Caron Lindsay
| Thu 29th November 2018 - 11:57 pm
While Layla was putting in a storming performance on Question Time, her Oxfordshire colleagues were finishing off polling day in Wheatley ward. We were seeking to defend the seat we won by a whisker last year. Could Tim Bearder hold on?
We can definitely forgive his Mum her moment of pride:
May I be forgiven for being a proud mum? My son won the Wheatley by election last night with a 13.8% swing to LDs, now an Oxon County Councillor. Well done to him and the team who helped him. 😁
Peter Hirst The question for me is how bad things need to get for the public and politicians to realise that the present situation cannot continue. Part of the challenge is...
Peter Hirst It is sad that conflict seems to continue until both parties are ready to agree on common goals. This as shown elsewhere can take a long time with accompanying ...
Joe Bourke Good comment from Jenny on potential market reforms. The BBC report on Shell's profits make some salient points https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64489147
"Shell h...
Mel Borthwaite @Martin
Shorting a company’s shares is something I believe is unethical and should be made illegal, but doubt anything will ever be done about it. Basically,...
Martin Thanks for a fascinating insight, Tom. I suppose the activities of Hindenburg Research is legitimate investigation, a form of investigatory journalism, but it ...
Follow @LibDemVoice on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Subscribe to our feed
Sign-up for our daily email digest
My tweets
Under siege
VIDEO - Ed Davey on parties at No 10, Raab bullying allegations and kinship care
Getting things done - Newhall Gardens #dundeewestend
England beat the All Blacks away from home in 1973
Peter Hirst 
Joe Bourke 
Mel Borthwaite 
Martin 