Since the start of the year there have been 5 by-elections, with 5 more to come in the rest of January. It’s been a quieter start to the year after some stunning gains at the end of 2017, so hopefully we’ll begin to build up some momentum in the run-up to May in short time.
Hertsmere BC, Borehamwood Cowley – 4th January 2018 – Labour gain from Conservative
Lab 709
Con 381
UKIP 57
LD Paul Robinson 20
Green 18
Starting off with last week, a big thank you to Paul Robinson to flying the flag in Hertsmere. Although looking like a thumping gain for Labour, in reality Borehamwood Cowley is a seat that Labour has won or topped the poll for at least the last 20 years.
Kent CC, Birchington & Rural – 11th January 2018 – Conservative hold
Con 2534
Lab 856
LD Angie Curwen 561 <
UKIP 357
Grn 169
Thanet DC, Thanet Villages – 11th January 2018 – Conservative hold
Con 620
LD Angie Curwen 313
Lab 206 <
Grn 66
Ind 52
UKIP 0 ]
Next to Kent and a double thank you to Angie Curwen for being our candidate at District and County level, with a particularly pleasing second place from a standing start the District by-election. Notable here is no candidate for UKIP in Thanet Villages. Whilst UKIP have repeatedly failed to stand candidates since the General Election, this is particularly notable as UKIP still have minority control of Thanet DC, so for them to not stand a candidate in a council they control shows what kind of state they find themselves in.
Lancashire CC, Wyre Rural Central – 11th January 2018 – Conservative hold<
Con 1745
Lab 925
Grn 237
Wyre BC, Preesall – 11th January 2018 – Conservative hold
Con 930
Lab 753
We finish this week by heading up to Lancashire for another two tier by-election double, where the Conservatives comfortably defended both of their seats in Wyre, in spite of a modest Labour increase.
Next week we have 4 by-elections, with a defence in Rochford and 4 Lib Dem candidates to report on! See you next week.