With all eyes on Thursday’s local elections (see our report on defence rates, over), it is easy to forget that there were thirteen local council by-elections taking place on the same day.
The only significant result from a Lib Dem perspective is the successful defence of Hertfordshire’s Meriden Tudor ward, where Kareen Mary Hastrick added a little good news to what was another difficult night across the country. Of some national prominence was the Hackney Central by-election, where the ‘Hackney Heroine’ Pauline Pearce (pictured, second left) made the decision to stand for the Liberal Democrats in the wake of last year’s riots. Unfortunately, Pauline came third on the night but has been a welcome addition to our London campaign family, where we hope she will remain.
Elsewhere, we had two decent second places. Trailing the Tories by only 146 votes in the North Richmond ward in the London Borough of Richmond, and we also did well to come within touching distance of the successfully defending Conservative team in Bromley, where the Bromley Town ward remained blue. Our final pick of interesting results comes from Tower Hamlets, where Respect came second to Labour in the Weavers ward, being the only other party in the election to poll over 1000 at the ballot box.
Finally, we know that the Conservatives held Wimbledon Park in Merton, Kilburn Derby and Holbrook in Amber Valley, and Offington in Worthing. Labour held Blackpool’s Bloomfield ward and gained one seat in Marton. On an explanatory note, that last result is decided by the outcome of a double election; Conservatives held both seats going into the election and came first (with Labour second) in the double-election on Thursday. The second-elected member traditionally being treated as the victor in the by-election, so the result is Conservative hold the regular election seat but Labour gained a councillor in the by-election.
These aren’t easy times to fight local election seats as Liberal Democrats, but no Lib Dem ever signed up because we wanted an easy option. Thursday’s results simply do not reflect the work that many have put into wards and communities across the country. ALDC are proud of the way that every Liberal Democrat has got out there and fought for every single vote – now is the time to say ‘thank you’, have a well-earned rest, and get back out there to fight for them again!
ALDC would like to wish all of our councillors, candidates, and campaigners across the country, the very best of luck in your local campaigns.
Craig Whittallcraig.whittall@aldc.org