By-election Summary - June 2017 to April 2018

[middleenglander]

There have been 34 by-elections during February 2018 with 12 (35%) changing hands; a further by-election was cancelled the day before it was due to be held following a Judicial Review. The results can be summarised by:

Party	Contested	Defended	Retained	Gained	Lost	Won	retention rate
Conservative	32	17	12	5	5	17	71%
Labour	31	8	7		1	7	88%
Liberal Democrat	24	3	1	6	2	7	33%
SNP	2	1	1			1	100%
Green	19
UKIP	7	1			1		0%
Independent ^	9	3		1	3	1	0%
Localist ^^	3	1	1			1	100%
No Description	1
Others ^^^	2
Total	130	34	22	12	12	34	65%

  ^   9 Independent candidates contested 6 by-elections
 ^^  Epsom & Ewell Residents Association, Independent - Save Our Stretton (East Staffordshire) and Lincolnshire Independent (North Kesteven)
^^^ Blue Revolution (Boston) and Something New (Lichfield)

Conservatives gained five seats, two from Liberal Democrats, two from Independents and one from UKIP
* gained Dorset, Bridport from a Liberal Democrat with a ~ 40% share and a 5% majority on a swing of 3% / 1% since May 2017
   - 2 member ward created in 2017 where resigning Councillor narrowly topped the poll with Conservatives 2nd & 3rd and a Liberal Democrat 4th
* gained West Dorset, Bridport North from a Liberal Democrat with a 36% share and a 6% majority on a 7% / 1½% swing since 2015
   - 3 member ward created in 2015 where resigning Councillor easily topped the poll with Conservative 2nd, 3rd & 4th and other Liberal Democrats 5th & 6th
* gained North Kesteven, Eagle, Swinderby & St Hughs from an Independent with a ~ 58% share and a 22% majority over Lincolnshire Independent
   - 2 member ward where the late Councillor and a Conservative were returned unopposed in 2015 and 2011 with both facing only a Green opponent in 2007
* gained Weymouth & Portland, Tophill East from an Independent with a ~ 47% share and a majority of 1% (8 votes) over Labour
   - 2 member ward created in 2004 where Independents topped the poll in each of 7 subsequent elections but where no Independent was standing
* gained Tendring, St Pauls from UKIP sitting as an Independent with a ~ 40% share and a 23% majority over an Independent 
   - 2 member ward returning UKIP & Conservative in 2015 - UKIP retained seat in 2016 by-election - 2 Tendring First in 2011 & 2007 and 2 Conservatives in 2003
- but lost five seats, four to Liberal Democrats and one to an Independent
* lost Arun, Marine to a Liberal Democrat with ~ 33% share and a 6% majority over Labour / ~ 7% over Conservative in a ward they did not contest in 2015
   - 2 member ward created in 2015, won by Independent / Conservative with UKIP and Labour 3rd / 4th
   - previous ward of same name elected Independent / Conservative in 2011 & 2007 but 2 Liberal Democrats in 2003
* lost North Norfolk, Worstead to a Liberal Democrat with a 73% share and a 56% majority on a 32% swing since 2015, 19% since 2011 and 18% since 2007
   - single member ward that elected Liberal Democrats in 2003, 2007 and 2011 with the 2011 Councillor then elected as a Conservative in 2015
* lost Teignbridge, Chudleigh to a Liberal Democrat (a former Conservative Councillor) with a 41% share and a 0.7% majority (11 votes)
   - 2 member ward with Liberal Democrat in 2016 by-election, 2 Conservative in 2015, Conservative / Independent in 2011 & 2007, 2 Liberal Democrat in 2003
   - swing ~ 7½% Liberal Democrat to Conservative since 2016 by-election but ~ 9% Conservative to Liberal Democrat since 2015 and ~ 7% since 2011
* lost Teignbridge, Dawlish Central & North East to a Liberal Democrat with a 71% share and 41% majority on a 24% swing since 2015 and 30% since 2011
   - 3 member ward electing 3 Conservatives in 2015 and 2007, 2 Conservatives / 1 Independent in 2011 and 2 Conservatives / 1 Liberal Democrat in 2003
* lost Scottish Borders, Selkirkshire to an Independent where Conservative had a 6% lead on first preferences but with a share 6.4% lower than 2017
   - 3 member ward electing Conservative / SNP / Independent in 2017 and Conservative / Liberal Democrat / SNP in 2012 and 2007

Liberal Democrats, apart from gaining four seats / losing two to Conservatives, also gained a seat from Labour and another from an Independent
* gained Sunderland, Pallion from Labour with ~ 54% share and a 19% majority in a seat recently polling < 5%; swing 32% plus since 2012 to 2016
   - 3 member Metropolitan ward electing Labour on each occasion since 2004; Liberal Democrat highest share was 19½% in both 2006 and 2010
* gained West Somerset, Minehead South from an Independent sitting as UKIP with 43% share and 3.7% majority over Conservative, seat not contested before
   - 2 member seat created in 2011 that elected Conservative / Independent in 2015 and Conservative / Labour in 2011

[middleenglander]

There have been 44 by-elections during January and February 2018 with 14 (32%) changing hands.  The results can be summarised by:

Party	Contested	Defended	Retained	Gained	Lost	Won	retention rate
Conservative	42	24	18	6	6	24	71%
Labour	40	9	7	1	2	8	88%
Liberal Democrat	32	4	2	6	2	8	50%
SNP	2	1	1			1	100%
Green	26
UKIP	11	1			1		0%
Independent ^	12	4	1	1	3	2	0%
Localist ^^	3	1	1			1	100%
No Description	1
Others ^^^	2
Total	171	44	30	14	14	44	65%

  ^   12 Independent candidates contested 8 by-elections
 ^^  Epsom & Ewell Residents Association, Independent - Save Our Stretton (East Staffordshire) and Lincolnshire Independent (North Kesteven)
^^^ Blue Revolution (Boston) and Something New (Lichfield)

Conservatives gained 6 seats, 2 each from Liberal Democrats and Independents and 1 each from Labour and UKIP
whilst losing the same number, 4 to Liberal Democrats along with 1 each to Labour and an Independent
* gained Bolton: Hulton from Labour together with Dorset: Bridport and West Dorset: Bridport North from Liberal Democrat
   North Kesteven: Eagle, Swinderby & St Hughes and Weymouth & Portland: Tophill East from Independents and
   Tendring: St Pauls from UKIP sitting as Independent
* lost Arun: Marine, North Norfolk: Worstead, Teignbridge: Chudleigh and Teignbridge: Dawlish Central & North East to Liberal Democrats
* Hertsmere: Borehamwood Cowley Hill to Labour and Scottish Borders: Selkirkshire to an Independent

Labour gained 1 seat from a Conservative but lost 1 each to Conservative and Liberal Democrat
* gained Hertsmere: Borehamwood Cowley Hill from Conservative
* lost Bolton: Hulton to Conservative and Sunderland: Pallion to Liberal Democrat

Liberal Democrats gained 4 seats from Conservative and 1 each from Labour and Independent but lost 2 to Conservatives
* gained Arun: Marine, North Norfolf: Worstead, Teignbridge: Chudleigh and Teighnbridge: Dawlish Central & North East from Conservatives:
   Sunderland: Pallion from Labour and West Somerset: Minehead South from Independent
* lost Dorset: Bridport and West Dorset: Bridport North to Conservatives

Independents gained 1 seat from Conservative but lost 2 to Conservatives and 1 to Liberal Democrat
* gained Scottish Borders: Selkirkshire from Conservative
* lost North Kesteven: Eagle, Swinderby & St Hughs and Weymouth & Portland: Tophill East to Conservatives
   West Somerset: Minehead South to Liberal Democrat

UKIP lost Tendring: St Pauls to Conservative

[middleenglander]

There have been 23 by-elections during March 2018 with 12 (52%) changing hands.  The results can be summarised by:

Party	Contested	Defended	Retained	Gained	Lost	Won	retention rate
Conservative	23	12	5	3	7	8	42%
Labour	22	6	4	3	2	7	67%
Liberal Democrat	18	1	1	2		3	100%
SNP	2	1	1	1		2	100%
Green	13
UKIP	5	1			1		0%
Independent	7	2		1	2	1	0%
Localist ^	2			1		1
No Description	1			1		1
Others ^^	1
Total	94	23	11	12	12	23	48%

 ^  Farnworth & Kearsley Residents and Thurrock Independent
^^ Bus Pass Elvis (Nottingham)

Conservatives gained 3 seats, 2 from Independents and 1 from UKIP
but lost 7 seats, 3 to Labour, 2 to Liberal Democrats with 1 each to Independent and No Description
- gained Chiltern, Ridgeway from an Independent with a 5% majority over Labour with Liberal Democrat a further 4% behind
  single member ward where previous councillor was elected as Independent / Resident (in 2003) with shares between 61%(2015) and 84% (2003)
- gained Redcar & Cleveland, Longbeck from an Independent with 33% share and 6% majority over Liberal Democrat with Labour 4% further behind
  3 member ward, Conservative / Independent / UKIP in 2015, Liberal Democrat / Conservative / Labour 2011 and 2 Conservatives / Independent 2007 & 2003
- gained Thurrock, Ockendon from UKIP sitting as an Independent on drawn lots against Labour with Thurrock Independents (formerly UKIP) third
  3 member ward with UKIP winning 2016, 2015 & 2014, Conservative 2012, 2010, 2008 & 2007, Labour 2011 & 2006 with 2 Conservative / 1 Labour in 2004
- lost Medway, Rochester West to Labour by 8% majority on a swing of 15% since 2015 and 13% since 2011
  2 member ward electing Conservatives in 2015, 2011, 2007 and 2003 with majorities some 20% plus
- lost Nottingham, Wollaton West to Labour by 5% on small swing to Labour since 2015 and 10% since 2011 but 4% to Conservative since 2014 by-election
  3 member ward electing 1 Labour / 2 Conservative in 2015, 3 Conservatives in 2011, 2007 and 2003 but Labour won 2014 by-election
- lost Staffordshire Moorlands, Leek West to Labour - high personal vote? - who had a 10% majority on a circa 11% swing since 2015 having not contested 2011
  3 member ward electing 3 Conservatives in 2015, 2 Conservative / 1 Liberal Democrat 2011 and 2007 with 3 Liberal Democrats in 2003
- lost Aylesbury Vale, Central & Walton to Liberal Democrat on a majority of 9½% and a swing of around 10% since 2015
  2 member ward electing Conservatives in 2015; previously Liberal Democrat area although Conservative elected to single member Central ward in 2011
- lost Dacorum, Northchurch to a Liberal Democrat who had a 31% majority on a swing in excess of 35% since 2015, 2011 and 2007
  single member ward represented by the same Conservative since created in 2003
- lost East Hampshire, Petersfield Bell Hill to an Independent who had a 33% share and 4% majority over Liberal Democrat with Conservative 2% further behind
  single member ward electing Conservatives in 2015 (47% Share), 2011 (57% share), 2007 (53% share) and 2003 (44% share)
- lost Rutland, Oakham South East to No Description by 19% majority in a straight fight
  2 member ward electing Independent / Conservative in 2015, 2 Conservatives in 2011 and 2007 and Conservative / Independent unopposed in 2003

Labour gained the 3 seats from Conservatives but lost 1 each to SNP and a localist resident group
- lost Midlothian, Penicuik to SNP where there was a 2% swing SNP to Conservative since 2017 with some 16% since 2012 and 10% since 2010
  3 member ward electing Conservative / Labour / SNP in 2017, 2 SNP/ 1 Labour in 2012 and Labour / Liberal Democrat / SNP in 2007
- lost Bolton Farnworth to Farnworth & Kearsley Residents by a majority of over 9% who had not contested a seat previously
  3 member ward won by Labour at each election since created in 2004

[middleenglander]

There have been 67 by-elections during the January to March 2018 period with 26 (39%) changing hands.  The results can be summarised by:

Party	Contested	Defended	Retained	Gained	Lost	Won	retention rate
Conservative	65	36	23	9	13	32	64%
Labour	62	15	11	4	4	15	73%
Liberal Democrat	50	5	3	8	2	11	60%
SNP	4	2	2	1		3	100%
Green	39
UKIP	16	2			2		0%
Independent ^	19	6	1	2	5	3	17%
Localist ^^	5	1	1	1		2	100%
No Description	2			1		1
Others ^^^	3
Total	265	67	41	26	26	67	61%

  ^   19 Independent candidates contested 15 by-elections
 ^^  Epsom & Ewell Residents Association, Farnworth & Kearsley Residents (Bolton), Independent - Save Our Stretton (East Staffordshire), Lincolnshire Independent (North Kesteven)and Thurrock Independent
^^^ Blue Revolution (Boston), Bus Pass Elvis (Nottingham) and Something New (Lichfield)

Conservatives gained 9 seats, 4 from Independents, 2 each from Liberal Democrats and UKIP together with 1 from Labour
whilst losing 13 seats, 6 to Liberal Democrats, 4 to Labour, 2 to Independents and 1 to No Description
* gained Bolton: Hulton from Labour together with Dorset: Bridport and West Dorset: Bridport North from Liberal Democrat
* gained Chiltern: Ridgeway, North Kesteven: Eagle, Swinderby & St Hughs, Redcar & Cleveland: Longbeck and Weymouth & Portland: Tophill East from Independents
* gained Tendring: St Pauls and Thurrock, Ockendon from UKIP sitting as Independents
* lost Arun: Marine, Aylesbury Vale: Central & Walton, Dacorum: Northchurch, North Norfolk: Worstead, Teignbridge: Chudleigh and
   Teignbridge: Dawlish Central & North East to Liberal Democrats
* lost Hertsmere: Borehamwood Cowley Hill, Medway: Rochester West, Nottingham: Wollaton West and Staffordshire Moorlands: Leek West to Labour
* lost East Hampshire: Petersfield Bell Hill and Scottish Borders: Selkirkshire to Independents along with Rutland: Oakham South East to No Description

Labour gained 4 seats from a Conservative but lost 1 each to Conservative, Liberal Democrat, SNP and a localist group
* gained Hertsmere: Borehamwood Cowley Hill, Medway: Rochester West, Nottingham, Wollaton West, Staffordshire Moorlands: Leek West from Conservative
* lost Bolton: Hulton to Conservative, Bolton: Farnworth to Farnworth & Kearsley Residents, Midlothian: Penicuik to SNP and Sunderland: Pallion to Liberal Democrat

Liberal Democrats gained 6 seats from Conservative and 1 each from Labour and Independent but lost 2 to Conservatives
* gained Arun: Marine, Aylesbury Vale: Central & Walton, Dacorum: Northchurch, North Norfolf: Worstead, Teignbridge: Chudleigh together with 
   Teignbridge: Dawlish Central & North East from Conservatives:
* gained Sunderland: Pallion from Labour and West Somerset: Minehead South from Independent
* lost Dorset: Bridport and West Dorset: Bridport North to Conservatives

SNP gained Midlothian: Penicuik from Labour

Independents gained 2 seats from Conservative but lost 4 to Conservatives and 1 to Liberal Democrat
* gained East Hampshire: Petersfield Bell Hill and Scottish Borders: Selkirkshire from Conservative
* lost Chiltern: Ridgeway, North Kesteven: Eagle, Swinderby & St Hughs, Redcar & Cleveland: Longbeck and Weymouth & Portland: Tophill East to Conservatives and
   West Somerset: Minehead South to Liberal Democrat

No Description gained Rutland: Oakham South East from Conservative

UKIP lost Tendring: St Pauls and Thurrock: Ockendon to Conservative

[middleenglander]

There have been 10 by-elections during April 2018 with 5 (50%) changing hands.  The results can be summarised by:

Party	Contested	Defended	Retained	Gained	Lost	Won	retention rate
Conservative	10	7	4		3	4	57%
Labour	8	1	1			1	100%
Liberal Democrat	10			4		4
SNP	2	1			1		0%
Green	7			1		1
UKIP	2
Independent ^	6	1			1		0%
Total	45	10	5	5	5	23	50%

 ^  6 Independents contested 3 by-elections

Liberal Democrats gained 4 seats, 3 from Conservatives and 1 from SNP
* gained Chichester: Rogate from Conservative with majority of 16% on a 56% share having not recently contested seat; new Councillor also County Councillor
   - single member seat previously returning Conservatives in each election since 2003 including by-elections in 2010 and 2014; recently elected MP resigned
* gained Highland: Caol & Mallaig from SNP polling 31.1% first preference (up from 9.4% in 2017) against 27.2% for SNP (up from 24.0% in 2017)
   - three member ward that elected 2 Independents / 1 SNP in 2017, an Independent in 2014 by-election and 3 Independents in 2012 and 2007
* gained Warrington: Lymm South from a Conservative on a swing of circa 7% since "all out elections in 2016
   - newly created 2 member ward electing 2 Conservatives in 2016: previous 3 member ward elected 2 Liberal Democrats and late Conservative prior to 2015
* gained West Berkshire: Thatcham West from a Conservative on a swing of some 13½% since 2015 and 4½% since 2011; new councillor regains former seat
   - 2 member ward that elected 2 Conservatives in 2015, on a swing of around 9% since 2011, but 2 Liberal Democrats in 2011, 2007 and 2003

Green gained Taunton Deane: Wivilescombe & West Deane from an Independent with nearly 45% share against Liberal Democrat and Conservative opponents
- 2 member ward that had previously elected 2 Independents in 2015, 2011 and 2007 but who did not contest by-election.

[middleenglander]

There have been 77 by-elections during the January to April 2018 period with 31 (40%) changing hands.  The results can be summarised by:

Party	Contested	Defended	Retained	Gained	Lost	Won	retention rate
Conservative	75	43	27	9	16	36	63%
Labour	70	16	12	4	4	16	75%
Liberal Democrat	60	5	3	12	2	15	60%
SNP	6	3	2	1	1	3	67%
Green	46			1		1
UKIP	18	2			2		0%
Independent ^	25	7	1	2	6	3	14%
Localist ^^	5	1	1	1		2	100%
No Description	2			1		1
Others ^^^	3
Total	310	77	46	31	31	77	60%

  ^   25 Independent candidates contested 18 by-elections
 ^^  Epsom & Ewell Residents Association, Farnworth & Kearsley Residents (Bolton), Independent - Save Our Stretton (East Staffordshire), Lincolnshire Independent (North Kesteven)and Thurrock Independent
^^^ Blue Revolution (Boston), Bus Pass Elvis (Nottingham) and Something New (Lichfield)

Conservatives contested 97% of the by-elections, Labour 91%, Liberal Democrats 78%, Greens 60% whilst UKIP only 23%.

Conservatives gained 9 seats, 4 from Independents, 2 each from Liberal Democrats and UKIP together with 1 from Labour
whilst losing 16 seats, 9 to Liberal Democrats, 4 to Labour, 2 to Independents and 1 to No Description
* gained Bolton: Hulton from Labour together with Dorset: Bridport and West Dorset: Bridport North from Liberal Democrat
* gained Chiltern: Ridgeway, North Kesteven: Eagle, Swinderby & St Hughs, Redcar & Cleveland: Longbeck and Weymouth & Portland: Tophill East from Independents
* gained Tendring: St Pauls and Thurrock, Ockendon from UKIP sitting as Independents
* lost Arun: Marine, Aylesbury Vale: Central & Walton, Chichester: Rogate, Dacorum: Northchurch, North Norfolk: Worstead,
   Teignbridge: Chudleigh, Teignbridge: Dawlish Central & North East, Warrington: Lymm South and West Berkshire: Thatcham West to Liberal Democrats
* lost Hertsmere: Borehamwood Cowley Hill, Medway: Rochester West, Nottingham: Wollaton West and Staffordshire Moorlands: Leek West to Labour
* lost East Hampshire: Petersfield Bell Hill and Scottish Borders: Selkirkshire to Independents along with Rutland: Oakham South East to No Description

Labour gained 4 seats from a Conservative but lost 1 each to Conservative, Liberal Democrat, SNP and a localist group
* gained Hertsmere: Borehamwood Cowley Hill, Medway: Rochester West, Nottingham, Wollaton West, Staffordshire Moorlands: Leek West from Conservative
* lost Bolton: Hulton to Conservative, Bolton: Farnworth to Farnworth & Kearsley Residents, Midlothian: Penicuik to SNP and Sunderland: Pallion to Liberal Democrat

Liberal Democrats gained 9 seats from Conservative and 1 each from Labour, SNP and Independent but lost 2 to Conservatives
* gained Arun: Marine, Aylesbury Vale: Central & Walton, Chichester: Rogate, Dacorum: Northchurch, North Norfolf: Worstead, Teignbridge: Chudleigh,
   Teignbridge: Dawlish Central & North East, Warrington: Lymm South together with West Berkshire: Thatcham West from Conservatives:
* gained Highland: Caol & Mallaig from SNP, Sunderland: Pallion from Labour and West Somerset: Minehead South from Independent
* lost Dorset: Bridport and West Dorset: Bridport North to Conservatives

SNP gained Midlothian: Penicuik from Labour but lost Highland: Caol & Mallaig to a Liberal Democrat

Independents gained 2 seats from Conservative but lost 4 to Conservatives and 1 each to Liberal Democrat and a Green
* gained East Hampshire: Petersfield Bell Hill and Scottish Borders: Selkirkshire from Conservative
* lost Chiltern: Ridgeway, North Kesteven: Eagle, Swinderby & St Hughs, Redcar & Cleveland: Longbeck and Weymouth & Portland: Tophill East to Conservatives
   Taunton Deane: Wiveliscombe & West Deane to a Green and West Somerset: Minehead South to Liberal Democrat

No Description gained Rutland: Oakham South East from Conservative
Green gained Taunton Deane: Wiveliscombe & West Deane from an Independent
UKIP lost Tendring: St Pauls and Thurrock: Ockendon to Conservative

[yellowperil]

Adding ME's 3 tables together which between them cover the year from one set of local elections and the other, and simplifying a bit (like lumping together all the Indies, Residents , etc as "others", I think that in the whole year there were 234 election places to be filled and 78 changed hands, and the party totals are
Con 90 (-20)
Lab 84 ( +7)
LD 36 (+19)
Grn 4 (+4)
SNP 3 (NC)
PC 1 (NC)
UKIP 0 (-8)
Oths16 (-2)

Could somebody confirm those figures are right? I was trying to get it down to something compact and memorable!

[Deleted]

And they say the Greens aren't good at by-elections.