ALDC monitors and records the results of council by-elections on behalf of the Liberal Democrats. All our by-election results are also posted on our website.
Another busy night saw 10 principal by elections, all in England and all with Lib Dem candidates. Fielding a full slate in the principal by elections around the country in itself is a fantastic achievement.
One to watch this week was Broadstone ward in Poole with a by election triggered by the resignation of the sitting Conservative councillor. Candidate Vikki Slade is fighting Conservative plans to bus services and youth services and will be a strong local voice, standing up for residents. Vikki and the team have convincingly beat the Tories into second place with a 24% swing and getting 69.3%. Fantastic work and well done! The results in full are:
LD Vikki Slade 2184 (69.3%; +24%)
Conservative 733 (23.3%; -13.2%)
UKIP 121 (4.2%; -7.5%)
Green 57 (1.8%; -4.8%)
Labour 45 (1.4%; -1.4%)
Lib Dem GAIN
At the other end of the country two by elections in Tim Farron country saw the team hold two seats for the Lib Dems on Cumbria County Council and South Lakeland District Council. They did this with a convincing lead over the Tories of 224 votes and 185 respectively. Well done to Steve Rooke who is now elected to Cumbria County Council and Andrew Jarvis elected to South Lakeland District Council. The final results are:
LD Steve Rooke 1009 (52.3%; +0.7%)
Conservative 785 (40.7%; +1.3%)
Labour 88 (4.6%; +4.6%)
Green 46 (2.4%; -0.6%)
Lib Dem HOLD
LD Andrew Jarvis 441 (60.1%; +11%)
Conservative 256 (34.9%; -4.1%)
Green 37 (5.0%; -0.9%)
Lib Dem HOLD
In other principal by elections around the country, the Conservatives held their seat in Swanley, Kent. Robert Woodbridge was the Lib Dem candidate and got 16.4% of the vote. Thank you for standing so people could vote Lib Dem.
In Lancaster, Labour held their seat in Westgate Ward and Louise Stansfield flew the flag for the Lib Dems. Thank you to everyone in the team in Lancaster.
With two by elections in the London Borough of Lewisham, Bobby Dean stood in Brockley and Lucy Salek stood in Evelyn for the Lib Dems. Thanks go to them for representing us in Lewisham
The Lincolnshire Independents held their seat on North Kesteven District Council, but Aaron Smith stood for the Lib Dems which was fantastic as there was no Lib Dem on the ballot paper in either 2011 or 2015 in this ward. Thank you!
In Tandridge Disctrict Council the Tories were dealt a blow losing the seat to the Oxted and Limpsfield Residents Group. Thank you to Sheelagh Crampton and the local party for making sure local people had a Lib Dem on the ballot paper.
To see all 10 principal council elections with Lib Dems on the ballot paper is absolutely fantastic! Together with two holds and a gain, what a great night!
On top of this, we have gain a seat from Labour on Knowsley Town Council and two from Labour on Tupton Parish Council. Liberal Democrats getting elected at all levels of government!
At the time of posting (00:55am) we are still waiting for the result from Sevenoaks District Council – will update in the morning!
Well done Team Lib Dem!
David Cooper says
My calculations based on Principal Council elections since the referendum (from 30th June to 13th October inclusive): 107 elections, 38 seats changing hands of which LibDems have won 19 (half, or as many as all other parties and groups put together). Seats contested by LibDems 87, seats won 26 (or 30%)