There were eight principal local council by-elections held on Thursday 20th October and one on Tuesday 18th. There were four Labour holds, three Tory holds and one Lib Dem hold. There was one Independent gain from Tory. There was one parish or town council by-election results reported to ALDC, a Lib dem gain from the Conservatives. 
In a pretty busy week for by-elections the highlight was undoubtedly holding our seat in the Bookham South , By-election in Mole Valley District Council in Surrey. Bookham South is three Councillor ward where we held all three until last May, when we lost one. One of our remaining two then died – hence the by-election.
We ran a pretty standard campaign with a Focus before the campaign started announcing Anne Howarth’s death avoiding expense limits. Then three full A3, full ward elections leaflets, a target letter and black (they didn’t have a blue drum!) letters to both PVs and non PVs. PVs were reminded, there were “Good Mornings” and 2 full knock-ups plus some phone follow-up.
A recurring feature in recent success was the focus on canvassing which was done very thoroughly – around 90% contact was achieved.
The Tories put a lot of effort in and the MP was spotted several times. UKIP also made an effort. Good for morale and it leaves us the largest Group as a result.
In the London Borough of Bromley, we had a creditable result in the Shortlands By-election. There were several reasons to be cheerful; Lib Dem vote share rose by 6.4%; we moved decisively from 4th place to second place and the Lab and Green vote shares were down.
In two elections we failed to stand candidates, Stafford and Great Yarmouth. We have argued week in, week out,in this column, win or lose standing a candidate is always the right thing to do. This applies to the Police Commissioner Elections as much as any other. The Constitution makes it plain:The objectives of the Party shall be to secure the election of Liberal Democrats as Members of Parliament, UK Members of the European Parliament and members of local and other elected public authorities.
Other elections:
Mansfield DC, Park Hall Cheshire West and Chester UA, Ellesmere Port TownNottingham City Council, BridgeSalford MBC, EcclesGreat Yarmouth BC, Bradwell South and HoptonStafford BC, WaltonAdur DC, Cokeham – on Tuesday