Eight Principal council by-elections were held last Thursday, seven of which took place in Scotland. The SNP successfully held seats in East Ayrshire, Fife, Stirling and West Lothian, all of which were caused following the resignation of newly elected MPs. Liberal Democrat candidate Caron Lindsay polled 2.8% of the first preferences in Linlithgow division in West Lothian, with party not fielding candidates in the other four contests.
The Scottish nationalists also secured a gain from the Conservatives in Midstocket/Rosemount division in Aberdeen, with the Lib Dems achieving 8.3% of first preferences, a vote share increase of 1.5% from 2012. The SNP also held their seat in George Street/Harbour ward with 50% of the first preferences, with the Lib Dems coming in fifth place.
One Independent candidate did manage to withstand the recent SNP onslaught in Scottish by-elections by holding a seat in Heldon & Laich division in Moray vacated by the resignation of an independent councilor.
Elsewhere, Labour gained a seat from the Conservatives in Banbury, Grimsbury & Castle ward in Cherwell (DC), with Liberal Democrat Kenneth Ashworth polling 4.2% in finishing fourth. Alongside this, Labour also gained a seat from the Tories on Banbury town council.
Eight principal council by-elections will be taking place this week. On Wednesday, Labour will be defending their seat in Riverside ward in Cardiff (UA), with a by-election also taking place in Western Isles (UA) following the death of an Independent councilor. On Thursday, James Sanderson and Tina Liddington will be hoping to secure to Liberal Democrat holds in Goldsworth East and Goldsworth West wards in Woking (BC), with Lib Dems also standing in the contests in South Hams (DC), South Oxfordshire (DC) and Highland (UA). No Lib Dem candidate will be standing in the Bolsover South ward by-election in Bolsover (DC).
In addition, Katherine Lewis will be hoping to make a gain from the Conservatives in Deganwy ward on Conwy town council.
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.