UK local by-elections 2013

[Leftbehind]

Appalling Green result. A nice gain for Labour to offset that loss of theirs a fortnight ago. You wouldn't be able to tell from that result it was Con/Lib marginal pre-coalition.

[Leftbehind]

Both the FoD and H&F were strong for Labour. Although equally the Stockton result was terrible.

[Leftbehind]

Would've been three Labour gains if they'd help up better in Gainsborough.

[Leftbehind]

Strong results for Labour in both Wirral and K-u-T, although especially the former. Seems the more parties stand in Ashford the further the Labour vote erodes there.

[Leftbehind]

The Tory vote has collapsed since the legalization of gay marriage.  Not held a ward since and with large declines in every ward. (discounting Dorset for obvious reasons) UKIP actually winning now.

I hardly think you can put this down to gay marriage: there's been a long-term trend starting over a year ago, and collapses in the Tory vote seen in a long list of by-elections (Corby, Middlesbrough, Rotherham  - even as far back as Barnsley Central). These have undoubtedly gained much attention (especially since UKIP are the press' favourites) for the party, and encouraged others to defect: with things coming to a head in Eastleigh, where they came close seconds and naturally it got noticed. If they could nearly win a parliamentary by-election, then they could certainly win a local by-election and that's liberated those who wish to vote for them to do so. I think FPTP's effect on voter mentality often goes criminally underlooked.

See here for UKPR's take on gay marriage's lack of salience in voters minds.

[Leftbehind]

Impressive result for PBP there. Not sure why the Greens didn't stand, or why there wasn't a Labour candidate in Fenland. Tendring result looks pretty underwhelming for Labour, but not as bad as a couple of last week's performances.

[Leftbehind]

Nah, they're a different party (SPEW have joined TUSC).

[Leftbehind]

And don't assume the voters will return as well; Many of their voters, and I think some of their MP's don't see any difference between Cameron and Milliband, and probably wouldn't mind a Labour victory, if they get a Paterson led party post 2015!
Don't overestimate FPTP, i'm sure one Mr Foot thought there was no way all those SDP voters would split the left vote and let Thatcher back in....

Actually that was what I was getting at when I said Eastleigh had liberated their voters. It's only when voters are convinced a party stands a reasonable chance of being competitive they'll begin to jump ship in a meaningful number, and the well publicised UKIP rise (and indeed the SDP formation) encouraged that.

[Leftbehind]

Good results in Castle and Norden for Labour, and South Heaton for the Greens.

National Front? Really? I thought they were extinct. Or is NF something else?

They were increasingly moribund with the dominance of the BNP, but since Griffin's sabotage, it's splintered, with many returning to the NF.

[Leftbehind]

Sheffield, Fulwood

LD 2563
Lab 1035
Con 826
UKIP 501
Green 379

... I think (there are a number of different figures floating around).

Good result for the Lib Dems, poor for the Tories.

sh**te for the Greens - who have halved since 2011.

[Leftbehind]

A set of universally good results for Labour this week, although a different story for the Greens - who got near to a fifth of the vote in Alexandra at the 2004 locals, and no-shows in Thanet and Barking despite making it in the teens when contesting? Hilariously bad for Liberals everywhere (which will never get old).  

Might get around to commenting on some of the more remarkable results in last week's by-elections. 100+ ffs - an overwhelming amount - while we're having to make do with less than a handful each Thursday - spread it around!

[Leftbehind]

srsly, oldham but not leicester?

Can you clarify?

[Leftbehind]

Oh right, yeah. Although as I say, Alexandra did give them a good result once. Councillors in Leicester? They were lost in 2011, no?

[Leftbehind]

or its wierd British humour?

lol

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/8676696.stm

[Leftbehind]

Weymouth and Portland, Melcombe Regis

Lab 26.5 (+6.9)
Con 24.5 (-9.0)
Ind 19.4
Lib Dem 16.1 (-13.0)
Green 13.6 (-5.3)

lol 5-way marginal under FPTP.

[Leftbehind]

Weymouth and Portland, Melcombe Regis

Lab 26.5 (+6.9)
Con 24.5 (-9.0)
Ind 19.4
Lib Dem 16.1 (-13.0)
Green 13.6 (-5.3)

lol 5-way marginal under FPTP.

Labour coming from 4th is pretty impressive.

Well it sounds a great deal more impressive than a 7-point increase allowing them to win on a quarter of the vote.

[Leftbehind]

Impressive way of handing UKIP a propaganda victory. Dread to think how often UKIP will make use of it.

[Leftbehind]

[...]due to Fabricant being the hardworking, charming chap he is.

His recent HIGNFY appearance really highlighted that(!).

[Leftbehind]

lol nearly remarked that this week's were looking uncompetitive...

[Leftbehind]

Excellent result in Spenborough though.

Including for the LDs!

Indeed, helped by the Green absence who've been standing each year since the ward's creation and got their best result last year (9%) only to not stand here.

[Leftbehind]

Lib Dem 3.3 (-15.4)

LOL.

[Leftbehind]

Indeed, it's hilarious that they've collapsed from even their recent depths.

[Leftbehind]

A good Labour result in Newtown (or at least a fair improvement on their lacklustre 2011 performance), but an awful Primrose result (worse than their 2007 share, and even that had a respectable Green result).

[Leftbehind]

Anyway, that's a great result in Silverdale.

Strong results in N Tyneside and Swansea as well for Labour, although poor results in Broadland & VOWH where they unwound to Liberals.

[Leftbehind]

Indeed! Although these sort of reappearances at the local level are always dampened with the reminder they're no longer in parliament (which desperately needs more hard leftists).