UK local by-elections 2014

[Chancellor of the Duchy of Little Lever and Darcy Lever]

Hmm, looks like I missed this one...

SWINTON SOUTH, Salford city council; caused by the death of Labour councillor Norbert Potter at the age of 73.  First elected in 2003 for Walkden South ward, he had continuous service on the council since winning a 2005 by-election in Barton ward, moving to Swinton South in 2011.  Also a director of Salford Citizens Advice Bureau, Potter had served in various council cabinet positions, including Planning and Town Twinning for three years.

In a previous life for your columnist he temped at Salford City Council for several months, and his mother has worked for the City Council for many years.  Of course, Salford City Council is not based on Salford itself but in the comparatively calmer town of Swinton, the next town out on the roads to Chorley and Liverpool.  A classic Lancashire industrial town, with cotton, bricks and coalmining being the main Victorian industries here, Swinton's economy is now based on the administration and on commuting to Manchester.  Modern famous sons of the town include the Master of the Queen's Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, and the footballer Ryan Giggs.

Swinton South was a Labour/Tory fight before 2004 (the Tories winning in 1983, '87, '92 and 2000), but then much of the best Tory areas moved to Worsley and Boothstown ward in boundary changes.  In June 2004, the first election on the current ward boundaries, this was a Labour ward but the Lib Dems very close behind; the three Labour majorities were 152, 96 and 10 votes.  Labour did well to hold a by-election in March 2005, a few weeks before the general election of that year, but in the 2005-10 parliament the Lib Dems finally broke through and gained all three Labour seats over the period 2006-2008.  Labour regained the ward in 2010 partly thanks to a split in the Lib Dem vote, the outgoing councillor Joe O'Neill standing for re-election as an independent and polling 17% in fourth place; in the two elections since then O'Neill has stood as a Green Party candidate and again polled 17% each time.  The Lib Dem vote in Salford faded away with the establishment of the Coalition (they have no candidate in the by-election), allowing Labour to win this ward easily in 2011 and 2012 with a very divided opposition; O'Neill was runner-up in 2012, just ahead of the Tories.

Defending for Labour is Neil Blower, a former soldier who has fought in Kosovo and Iraq and is writer-in-residence at the local website Salford Online.  Joe O'Neill stands again for the Green Party, while former teacher Anne Broomhead is the Conservative candidate.  Also on the ballot paper are Paul Whitelegg for the English Democrats, Steve Cullen for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition and UKIP's Robert Wakefield.

Parliamentary constituency: Salford and Eccles
ONS Travel to Work Area: Manchester
Postcode district: M27

Neil Blower (Lab)
Anne Broomhead (C)
Steve Cullen (TUSC)
Joe O'Neill (Grn)
Robert Wakefield (UKIP)
Paul Whitelegg (EDP)

May 2012 result Lab 1072 Grn 394 C 376 BNP 172 LD 141 EDP 112 Community Action 86
May 2011 result Lab 1356 C 553 Grn 481 LD 277 UKIP 194
May 2010 result Lab 1671 LD 1358 C 1055 Ind 837
May 2008 result LD 1150 Lab 642 C 527 Ind 347
May 2007 result LD 1114 Lab 750 C 372 Ind 234 EDP 210
May 2006 result LD 965 Lab 842 C 584
March 2005 by-election Lab 643 LD 579 C 543 Grn 76
June 2004 result Lab 1158/1102/1016 LD 1006/992 C 954/597

And the result is already in: Lab 661 C 298 UKIP 215 Grn 196 EDP 54 TUSC 43.

[ObserverIE]

Completing the formalities...

Salford, Swinton South

Lab 45.1 (-0.5)
Con 20.3 (+4.3)
UKIP 14.7 (+14.7)
Green 13.4 (-3.3)
Eng Dem 3.7 (-1.1)
TUSC 2.9 (+2.9)

[ObserverIE]

Holy Word

St Edmundsbury, Haverhill East

UKIP 54.0 (+54.0)
Lab 24.5 (-16.0)
Con 16.0 (-29.4)
Lib Dem 5.5 (-8.6)

Tonbridge and Malling, Borough Green and Long Mill

Ind 38.9 (+9.5)
Con 33.0 (-24.8)
UKIP 19.6 (+19.6)
Lab 4.7 (-8.0)
Green 3.8 (+3.8)

UKIP gain Haverhill East from Con
Ind gain Borough Green and Long Mill from Con

[YL]

I'm not surprised that UKIP won in Haverhill, but the scale of it is a bit shocking.

[ObserverIE]

Holy Word

Trafford, Broadheath

Lab 44.6 (-1.7)
Con 40.8 (+1.9)
UKIP 7.6 (+1.4)
Lib Dem 4.9 (+0.7)
Green 2.2 (-2.1)

Lab gain Broadheath from Con

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Apparently Kippers on the twatter were claiming a great triumph didst loom.

[ObserverIE]

Holy Words here and here.

Southend-on-Sea, West Leigh

Con 37.2 (-12.5)
Lib Dem 34.4 (+3.8)
UKIP 20.9 (+20.9)
Lab 7.5 (-1.6)

North Lanarkshire, Motherwell North

Lab 68.2 (+0.1)
SNP 20.6 (-4.8)
Con 6.9 (+2.5)
UKIP 4.2 (+4.2)

[doktorb]

Southend result.

CON    743 37.2%   -12.5%
LDm    688 34.4%   3.9%
UKIP    418 20.9%   20.9%
LAB    149 7.5%   -1.7%

Motherwell North

Pat O'Rourke (LAB) 1,719
Jordan Linden (SNP) 520
Bob Burgess (CON) 173
Neil Wilson (UKIP) 107

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Some Tory on the telly has just claimed that the Motherwell result was a great triumph. He keeps saying 'moving forward'.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Ah, it's David Mundell. Thought I slightly remembered the face.

[ObserverIE]

This week's Holy Word here and here.

Lichfield, Chadsmead

Lib Dem 36.0 (+8.2)
Lab 27.4 (-3.0)
UKIP 18.8 (+18.8)
Con 17.8 (-24.0)

Amber Valley, Heanor East

Lab 58.4 (+8.4)
Con 37.3 (+11.0)
Lib Dem 4.4 (-0.2)

Moray, Buckie

Ind Cowie 44.6
SNP 36.0 (-9.1)
Ind Macrae 11.8
Con 7.7 (+0.6)

Ind C	830	907	1034
SNP	670	679	710
Ind M	220	248
Con	143

Lib Dem gain Chadsmead from Con

Ind hold Buckie

[YL]

Holy Word here for two Tendring by-elections and Arbourthorne ward in Sheffield and here for Betws-yn-Rhos ward in Conwy.

This picture is an aerial view of the Norfolk Park estate (the end of Arbourthorne ward nearest the city centre) in 1993.  All those tower blocks have now been demolished.  (And somewhere in that picture you can just make out a Victorian fake castle, once lived in by two MPs.)

[ObserverIE]

Tendring, Peter Bruff

Con 38.1 (-4.1)
Lab 25.3 (+2.1)
UKIP 21.5 (+21.5)
Lib Dem 15.2 (-19.3)

Sheffield, Arbourthorne

Lab 52.2 (-10.1)
UKIP 18.0 (+3.3)
Con 8.0 (-0.1)
TUSC 7.6 (+7.6)
Lib Dem 6.0 (-1.4)
Green 5.3 (-2.2)
Eng Dem 2.8 (+2.8)

Tendring, St. John's

Con 44.4 (+1.0)
Lab 28.6 (-1.9)
UKIP 21.8 (+21.8)
Ind 5.1

Conwy, Betws-yn-Rhos

Ind Lloyd 46.0
PC 26.1 (-1.8)
Ind Evans 16.8
Con 11.0 (+11.0)

[freefair]

Lovely stuff for the Tories

[YL]

Sheffield, Arbourthorne

Lab 52.2 (-10.1)
UKIP 18.0 (+3.3)
Con 8.0 (-0.1)
TUSC 7.6 (+7.6)
Lib Dem 6.0 (-1.4)
Green 5.3 (-2.2)
Eng Dem 2.8 (+2.

Comparisons with results in Sheffield pre-2004 are tricky because of the extent of the ward boundary changes, but in 1999 and 2000 the Lib Dems won Park ward, which was the nearest equivalent to Arbourthorne.  More recently, they used to be comfortably second here.  Now they're fifth, behind TUSC.

It's perhaps a bit disappointing for Labour to lose 10% share, perhaps related to TUSC having a good result by their standards.  UKIP did OK but might have hoped to break 20%.   It's a bad result for the Greens (this was their third best ward in the city in 2011, though I think they must have given up on it in favour of more promising territory) and there isn't much to say about the Tories.

The Tendring results were also terrible for the Lib Dems (including failing to stand in one of the wards).  I don't know who used to vote Lib Dem in coastal Essex, but from the vote share changes it looks like a lot of them now vote UKIP.

[ObserverIE]

The Tendring results were also terrible for the Lib Dems (including failing to stand in one of the wards).  I don't know who used to vote Lib Dem in coastal Essex, but from the vote share changes it looks like a lot of them now vote UKIP.

The UKIP candidate in Peter Bruff was apparently a former Lib Dem councillor for the ward.

[joevsimp]

The Tendring results were also terrible for the Lib Dems (including failing to stand in one of the wards).  I don't know who used to vote Lib Dem in coastal Essex, but from the vote share changes it looks like a lot of them now vote UKIP.

the mp for nearby Colchester is pretty personally popular, former SDP member but some of that's started to evaporate recently, outside of Harwich though, labour are too weak around there to capitalise

[doktorb]

From the poster middleenglander in another place.

==
There are a further 5 by-elections during February, 17 so far identified to be held in March, 1 already in April and an additional 21 vacancies where there is no date as yet for the by-election.

There is also an election called and two pending for the Common Council of the Corporation of London.  As the Council is non-partisan I do not include it in my list of elections and vacancies.

13th February - 2
Birmingham MB, Kingstanding - Labour resigned
Richmondshire DC, Reith & Arkengarthdale - Independent died

20th February - 2
Cardiff UA, Canton - Labour resigned
Charnwood BC, Birstall Wanlip - Conservative died

27th February - 1
West Lindsey DC, Scotter - Conservative died

6th March - 5
Ashford BC, Wye - Conservative resigned
Bury MB, Ramsbottom - Labour resigned
Kings Lynn & West Norfolk BC, Burnham - Conservative died
Nottingham UA, Clifton North - Labour disqualified for non-attendance
Wiltshire UA, Ethandune - Conservative died

12th March - 2
East Hants DC, Petersfield Bell Hill - Conservative died
Hampshire CC, Petersfield Butser - Conservative died

13th March - 8
Amber Valley BC, Heanor West - Labour died
Canterbury BC, Barham Downs - Conservative died
Cheshire East UA, Crewe West - Labour died
Knowsley MB, Longview - Labour resigned
Luton UA, Farley - Labour resigned
Runnymede, Chertsey Meads - Conservative died
Shropshire UA, Ludlow North - Conservative resigned
South Kesteven DC, Aveland - Conservative resigned

20th March - 1
Broadland DC, Wroxham - Lib Dem resigned

27th March - 1
East Ayrshire UA, Kilmarnock North - SNP died

3rd April -1
Pendle BC, Blacko & Higherford - Conservative disqualified for non attendance

Current known vacancies where by-election not yet called - 21
Blackpool UA, Hawe Side - Labour died 26th November
Blackpool UA, Layton - Labour resigned around 14th January
* Bradford MB, Craven - Conservative died around 5th February
*** Cumbria CC, Belle Vue - Labour died 13th November
Darlington UA, Mowden - Conservative died 9th January
Dartford BC, Stone - Labour resigned around 4th February
** Epping Forest DC, Loughton Forest - Resident Association died 7th September
Flintshire UA, Flint Trelawny - Labour died 14th January
Flintshire UA, Mostyn - Independent disqualification confirmed 5th September
Fylde BC, St John's - Ratepayer's Association died 9th November
Hartlepool UA, Seaton - Independent died 2nd February
Hull UA, Marfleet - Labour died 24th December
North East Derbyshire DC, Coal Aston - Conservative died around 6th January
North Kesteven DC, Osbournby - Independent died 3rd February
Oxfordshire CC, Chalgrove & Watlington - Conservative resigned around 3rd February
* Preston CC, Town Centre - said he was resigning 6th February
Rushcliffe BC, Gamston - Conservative died around 31st January
Staffordshire Moorlands DC, Cellarhead - Staffordshire Independent died 17th December
* Sunderland MB, St Anne's - Labour resigned around 3rd February
Torridge DC, Bideford East - Independent died 10th December
** Wolverhampton MB, Wednesfield North - Conservative died 19th October

*   There will be council elections in this ward in May 2014
**  This seat will be up for election in May 2014
*** There will be elections for the District Council seat covering this Division in May 2014

Vacancies subject to "6 month" rule - 9
Bexley LB, Sidcup - Conservative ill health resignation around 13th December
Brent LB, Dudden Hill - Lib Dem resigned 29th November
Ealing LB, Hobbayne - Labour resigned end of January / early February
Havering LB, Rainham & Wennington - Independent Resident disqualified for non-attendance on 28th December
Lambeth LB, Streatham South - Labour died 4th February
Lewisham LB, Evelyn - Labour died 3rd January
Preston CC, Fishwick - Labour died 8th January
South Tyneside MB, West Park - Labour died 15th January
Waltham Forest LB, Highham Hill - Labour resigned 27th November after being charged with fraud

Probable impending vacancies - 5
East Riding UA, Howdenshire - Conservative said he will resign
Fife UA, The Lochs - Labour following elections as MSP
Highland UA, Caol & Mallaig - Independent likely to resign towards end of February
Mid Devon DC, Cranmore - Lib Dem admitted defrauding the District Council, was to be sentenced 31st January.
Vale of White Horse DC, Wantage Charlton - Conservative sitting as Independent sentenced to 5 years imprisonmen

[ObserverIE]

Holy Word here.

Birmingham, Kingstanding

Con 47.0 (+7.3)
Lab 42.8 (-6.9)
UKIP 7.9 (+7.9)
Lib Dem 1.3 (-0.7)
NF 1.0 (+0.2)

Richmondshire, Reeth and Arkengarthdale

Ind 76.7
Con 23.3 (+11.3)

Con gain Kingstanding from Lab

[Filuwaúrdjan]

...and we have a stupid self-inflicted Labour loss at Kingstanding. By-election caused by resignation; actually an unnecessary by-election as we're close enough to the next set of elections for a double vacancy; Tories ran perennial (and oft electorally over-performing, so to speak) Local Candidate For Local People; Labour run candidate who is not only not from the ward but who is from the other end of the city. Inevitable comedy (sub 20%, apparently) turnout...

[MaxQue]

Well, let's see the good side, at least, it's someone who worked very hard for it through and years and didn't gave up despite the many defeats.

I may not agree with him politically, but I usually respect people fighting for years to win a seat. Now, the issue might be him clinging at his seat when it will be next up.

[ObserverIE]

Weekly Holy Word here and here.

Charnwood, Birstall Wanlip

Lib Dem 39.6 (+12.5)
Con 32.7 (-13.7)
Lab 27.7 (+1.2)

Cardiff, Canton

Lab 41.7 (-7.7)
PC 33.7 (+14.1)
Con 13.2 (+2.6)
Green 5.1 (-8.6)
TUSC 3.5 (+1.4)
Lib Dem 2.8 (+0.5)

Lib Dem gain Birstall Wanlip from Con

[joevsimp]

Havering LB, Rainham & Wennington - Independent Resident disqualified for non-attendance on 28th December

Vale of White Horse DC, Wantage Charlton - Conservative sitting as Independent sentenced to 5 years imprisonmen

do you know which RA cllr in Rainham? Tucker or one of his cronies (I grew up there, long story, much dislike, also involves third way of all people)

that group has been fairly dominant round there for a long while, that could end up as a four way fight (RA, Lab, Con, UKIP) with a non-negigible BNP vote too, wouldn't be surprised by another UKIP gain

what's the story in Wantage, lol

[MaxQue]

Havering LB, Rainham & Wennington - Independent Resident disqualified for non-attendance on 28th December

Vale of White Horse DC, Wantage Charlton - Conservative sitting as Independent sentenced to 5 years imprisonmen

do you know which RA cllr in Rainham? Tucker or one of his cronies (I grew up there, long story, much dislike, also involves third way of all people)

that group has been fairly dominant round there for a long while, that could end up as a four way fight (RA, Lab, Con, UKIP) with a non-negigible BNP vote too, wouldn't be surprised by another UKIP gain

what's the story in Wantage, lol

There will be no by-election in Havering, vancancy will be filled in London at-large elections in May. The expelled councillor is Mark Logan, from Tucker group, absent for health reasons (http://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/seriously_ill_havering_councillor_sacked_1_3199066)

For Wantage, he lost all the wealth (154,000£) of a lady he had attorney power over, in slot machines (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2513867/Tory-councillor-John-Morgan-gambled-away-womans-life-savings.html)

[ObserverIE]

Holy Word here.

West Lindsey, Scotter (changes in italics since December 2013 by-election)

Con 65.7 (+13.5) (+44.5)
Lib Dem 34.3 (+17.7) (+20.0)

Con hold Scotter