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
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. 😁
Four by elections took place on an eventful day for politics as a whole in the UK, with Lib Dem candidates standing in all four seats.
Oxfordshire CC, Grove & Wantage LD Jane Hanna 1925
Con 1447
Lab 459
Green 185
Turnout 27.85%
LD Hold
Percentage change from 2017
The outstanding result from the night came in the Grove & Wantage by-election for Oxfordshire County Council. Jane Hanna and the Oxfordshire Lib Dems put on a great campaign and increased their vote by 4.6% increasing their majority to strengthen their hold on the seat. A fantastic result for Jane and the party, congratulations and keep up the good work!
Kent CC, Canterbury North
Cons 1355
LD Alex Lister 756
Lab 660
Green 157
Ind 155
UKIP 120
Turnout 26.04%
Con Hold
Percentage change from 2017
A hard-worked campaign from Alex Lister and Kent Lib Dems saw a great swing of 7.1% cementing the Lib Dems place as the second party in the ward. The result saw the Conservatives lose 12.3% of their vote share highlighting the excellent performance from Lister despite defeat. Congratulations and let’s hope this result provides a platform for an increased focus on liberalism in the area.
There were four seats up for grabs this week in what was a tricky week for the party. Lib Dem candidates stood in all four elections however faced some tough tests in relatively safe seats. We’d like to thank our candidates Nigel Bakhai, Lesley Rideout, Christopher Styles-Power and Robert Thurston for all their hard work campaigning and for representing the party in some difficult battles.
11 by-elections took place last night with 10 Lib Dem candidates standing. A great night saw 3 Lib Dem gains in marginal seats, and some very closely run battles in others.
Mendip DC, Wells St. Thomas – LD Gain from Con
LD Tom Ronan 594
Con 493
Lab 131
]
Wells City Council, Wells St. Thomas – LD Gain from Con
LD Caroline McKinnell 605
Con 489
Lab 128
]
]
]
]
A great night in Wells saw 2 fabulous gains for the Lib Dems from the Conservatives. In the Mendip District Council election, Tom Ronan and the …
Back in 1994 or thereabouts, we failed to gain a labour seat in a by-election by a handful of votes. 17 stuck in my mind, but Paul Holmes tells me it’s 34. 17 extra voters.
Tonight, we won that Moor ward seat by a few more votes – a gain from Labour.
A Cambridge Council by-election has made national headlines this week after a Labour Councillor resigned because she didn’t agree with the terms of the Equality Act, which has been in force since 2010.
Our candidate in the by-election is former Councillor for the ward and former Executive Councillor for Community Wellbeing Sarah Brown.
Ahead of the September 13 by-election, the Liberal Democrats picked respected transgender activist Sarah Brown as the candidate for Sinnott’s vacated Petersfield seat.
Brown, a polyamorous transgender lesbian campaigner, previously held the seat from 2010 until 2014.
The candidate said: “Petersfield is where I live and I aim to champion it as I already know how – and as I did before.”
She added: “I am sad to see the campaign to turn the clock back on the city council’s equalities policy, which I will resist.
“It’s right that the needs and rights of transgender people, along with other groups, are recognised here, as national legislation expects.
“Cambridge has led by example on diversity, tolerance and liberal values, and we must defend that leadership from those who seek to divide us.”
It’s good to see the official Lib Dems Twitter account get behind her:
Dennis The government has achieved a lot of what it promised to do, and had been on track to achieve more policies stated in their manifesto. https://fullfact.org/gove...
Chloe I've little sympathy for Starmer.
But what he did deserve was to deliver that deeply personal resignation speech uninterrupted by that usual borish oaf S.Bray...
Slamdac The appears to be some British exceptionalism in these comments.
I accept that the EU can't force us to have a referendum, but we can't force them to accep...
Nonconformistradical "My fear is that Labour are just changing their captain and not their policy programme. What Burnham has said so far is very confusing and disappointing."
Se...
Mick Taylor Kier Starmer is a decent man, who was wholly out of his depth as PM. Everyone should read Ian Dunt's assessment on his substack
https://iandunt.substack.com/
...
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Dennis 
Chloe 
Slamdac 
Nonconformistradical 
Mick Taylor 