All five of yesterday’s principal council by-elections resulted in holds. In Norfolk, the Conservatives comfortably held their seat in county council’s Loddon division with a 641 vote majority. Liberal Democrat candidate Christopher Brown polled 12.2%, a vote share increase of 7.1% from two years ago. The Conservatives also secured a comfortable hold in Chedgrave & Thurton ward in South Norfolk (DC). The Liberal Democrats again managed an increase vote share from the previous election, this time by 5.6% from this May.
The Conservatives also secured holds in Derwent Valley division in Derbyshire (CC) and Blakebrook & South Habberley ward in Wyre Forest (DC). Lib Dem candidates polled 14.5% and 3.6% in these contests, with vote share changes of +4.6% and -1.3% from 2013 and 2015 respectively.
Elsewhere, Labour comfortably held on of their three seats in Pontefract North ward in Wakefield (MB), winning with 48% of the vote. Liberal Democrat candidate Daniel Woodlock polled 4.6% in finishing fifth, the party having not fielded a candidate earlier in the year.
Seventeen of the eighteen principal council seats up for election in September resulted in holds (eight for the Conservatives, six for Labour and three for SNP). Labour secured the only gain of the month, from the Greens in Edinburgh. Liberal Democrat candidates were fielded in 13 of the 17 by-elections held this month (72.2%), with the party averaging 16% of the vote when we stood candidates.
Next week, eight principal council contests are scheduled, seven of which are in Scotland. Liberal Democrat candidates will be fielded in four of these (West Lothian, Cherwell and two by-elections in Aberdeen). In addition, Lib Dems will also be standing in by-elections in Hellesdon (PC) and Banbury (TC).
For more information on the results from last week please click here. If you would like more information on all the forthcoming by-elections and details on who to contact for help, click here.