By-Election Report- 21st January 2016

Six principal council by-elections were held yesterday, five of which resulted in holds. There were two second place finishes for Liberal Democrats in Southwark (LB) and Hertfordshire (CC). In the London contest, Lauren Pemberton-Nelson polled 14.5% with an 8.2% vote share increase from 2014 in Faraday ward, with Labour holding their seat comfortably with over 60% of the vote. Shailain Shah was also a runner-up in the Bushey North by-election, polling 19.9%, with an increased vote share of 5.8% from two years ago. The Conservatives held the seat with 52.6%.

The Tories also successfully defended a seat in Crowborough East ward in Wealden (DC) with 64% of the vote. Jane Clark came second for the Liberal Democrats with 24.5%, a vote share decrease of 10.1% from May.

Elsewhere, Labour made a gain from UKIP in Thanet (DC). They took the seat in Newington ward with 37.7% and a 59 vote majority, as UKIP’s vote share dropped by 14.2% from May. Jordan Williams polled 1.6% for the Liberal Democrats, with the party not having fielded a candidate earlier in the year. Labour also held a seat in Thatto Heath ward in St Helens (MB) with 71.1% of the vote.

In South Lanarkshire (UA), the SNP received 42.9% of the first preference votes as they held their seat in Hamilton North & East ward. Norman Rae received 1.8% of first pference votes, with no Lib Dem candidate being fielded in the ward’s previous election four years ago.

In addition to the principal council contests, the Liberal Democrats won the Valley ward by-election on Newhaven Town Council in East Sussex. Lib Dem Kristoph Von Kurthy won the seat with 45.3% of the vote.

Just one principal council by-election will be held next week. Labour will be defending a seat in Parkfield & Oxbridge ward in Stockton-on-Tees (UA), with Drew Durning standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate.

For a detailed list of last week’s results 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.