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:

In the Thatcham West by-election the turnout was 34.3% 1,702 votes) for the election of a district councillor and 34.2% (1,693 votes) for the election of a town councillor. In total, 4,957 people were eligible to vote.

— West Berkshire (@WestBerkshire) April 19, 2018

This post will be updated as the results come in.

Verification of the ballots finished at approximately 23:21, according to the Newbury Weekly News’ excellent Thatcham reporter, John Herring:

Verification finished at #Thatcham west #byelection turnout for @WestBerkshire 34.3% and 34.2% for @ThatchamTC

— John Herring (@johnh_nwn) April 19, 2018

The brilliant Britain Elects has a full preview of the Thatcham West WBC by-election and the other major council by-elections today.

23:59: The Thatcham Town Council result is about to be announced.

00:02 John Herring from the NWN says the Lib Dems have won the Town Council seat:

Thatcham town result to the Lib Dems

— John Herring (@johnh_nwn) April 19, 2018

David Lister is elected to @ThatchamTC for @WBerksLibDems with 786 votes. Tories 2ND, Greens 3rd, Labour 4th, UKIP 5th full results to follow on @NewburyToday

— John Herring (@johnh_nwn) April 19, 2018

Louise Coulson – Labour Party – 134
Gary Johnson – UK Independence Party – 90
David Lister – Liberal Democrats – 786
Jane Livermore – The Green Party – 149
Stephen Walker – Conservative Party – 527

— West Berkshire (@WestBerkshire) April 19, 2018

00:10 By my calculations, David Lister of the Lib Dems was elected to the Town Council on 46.4% of the vote, while the Tory got 31.1%. Well done to David and the team!

00:11 Jeff Brooks takes the West Berkshire Council seat for the Lib Dems. Well done to Jeff and team!

* Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist and member of the Liberal Democrat Voice team. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.