Local Council by-elections - 9 May 2019 to April 2020

[Tony Otim]

Nov 18, 2019 0:24:02 GMT ideal4radio said:

It beggars belief that any outstanding by-election that could have been held on 12th December, would not be called for that day.

Of the 7 not called, Bristol, WArrington and Chorley are due for all-up elections in May (Chorley on new boundaries), so there's a chance they may not be called at all.

The other 4 are not due for elections at all in May. The really strange one is Dumfries and Galloway, because IIRC Scottish by-elections don't require a request to call, the returning officer is legally obliged to call it within a certain number of days of the vacancy...

[The Bishop]

It could of course be arranged for Dec 19th

[lennon]

Nov 18, 2019 11:14:17 GMT The Bishop said:

It could of course be arranged for Dec 19th

What - in a bid for lowest ever turnout?

[The Bishop]

I remember that in 2012 there was a byelection the week after the May local elections, *in a ward that had already voted then*

(IIRC, the turnout wasn't that bad in the circumstances)

[finsobruce]

Nov 18, 2019 12:35:30 GMT lennon said:

Nov 18, 2019 11:14:17 GMT The Bishop said:

It could of course be arranged for Dec 19th

What - in a bid for lowest ever turnout?

Calling Davıd Boothroyd !

[andrewteale]

Nov 18, 2019 12:37:02 GMT The Bishop said:

I remember that in 2012 there was a byelection the week after the May local elections, *in a ward that had already voted then*

(IIRC, the turnout wasn't that bad in the circumstances)

Kidsgrove ward, Newcastle-under-Lyme. The previous councillor had been sent down for six months for domestic violence, and the disqualification came through too late for a by-election on the ordinary election day.

[andrewteale]

Two more by-elections on 12th December:
Huntingdonshire, Alconbury - in respect of Jim White (C)
Worthing, Salvington - in respect of Anthony Baker (C)

[andrewp]

This weeks by election summary

There are 3 by elections scheduled on the final Thursday of November and 34 scheduled so far in December. There are a further 7 known or impending vacancies where there is currently no date for the by-election.


28 November- 3
North Norfolk DC- Sheringham North- Lib Dem resignation- 3 candidates- Con, Lab, LD
Oxfordshire CC - Wallingford- Independent resignation - 4 candidates- Con, Lab, Green, Ind
Wiltshire UA- Trowbridge Lambrook- Conservative resignation - 2 candidates- Con, LD

5 December- 1

Rhondda Cynon Taf CB- Ynyshir- PC resignation - 2 candidates- Lab, PC

12 December- 33

Boston DC, Kirton and Frampton- Conservative resignation - 3 candidates- Con, LD, Ind
Boston DC, Skirbeck, Conservative resignation- 6 candidates- Con, LD, Lab, Ind, Ind, Blue revolution.
Bury MBC, Church, Conservative died- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Camden LB, Haverstock- Labour resignation- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Dover DC, Guston, Kingsdown and St Margarets-at-Cliffe Conservative resignation- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
East Northamptonshire DC, Higham Ferrers Chichele- Conservative resignation- 2 candidates- Con, LD
East Northamptonshire DC, Higham Ferrers Lancaster- Conservative resignation- 2 candidates- Con, LD
Exeter CC, Topsham- Conservative resignation- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, FB
Hackney LB, Clissold- Labour resignation- 5 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green, WEP
Horsham DC, Storrington and Washington- Conservative resignation- 3 candidates- Con, Lab, LD
Hounslow LB, Feltham North- Labour died- 5 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green, Ind
Hounslow LB, Heston West - Labour died- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Huntingdonshire DC, Alconbury- Conservative resigned- 5 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Ind, Ind
Isle of Wight, Newport West- Conservative resignation- 6 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green, Ind, Ind
Islington LB, St George’s- Labour resignation- 4 candidates- Lab, LD, Green, WEP
Kettering DC, Desborough St Giles- Conservative died- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Kings Lynn and West Norfolk DC- Upwell and Delph- Independent resigned - 3 candidates- Con, Lab, Ind
Kirklees MBC, Colne Valley- Labour resignation- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Kirklees MBC, Dewsbury East- Labour resignation- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Dewbury Independent.
Lancaster DC, Overton- Conservative resignation- 3 candidates- Con, Lab, LD
Leeds MBC, Wetherby- Conservative died- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Leicestershire CC, Cosby and Countesthorpe- Conservative died- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Lincoln DC, Witham, Conservative resignation- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green.
Liverpool CC, Clubmoor- Labour resignation.- 4 candidates- Lab, LD, Green, Liberal
Liverpool CC, Picton- Labour resignation- 6 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green, Liberal, Ind
Newcastle Under Lyme DC, Holditch and Chesterton - Labour resignation- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Ind
Reading UA, Kentwood- Conservative resignation - 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Salford MBC, Pendlebury- Labour died- 3 candidates- Con, Lab, Green
Staffordshire CC- Watling South- Conservative died - 3 candidates- Con, Lab, LD
Tameside MBC, Denton West- Labour resignation- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Tamworth DC, Mercian- Conservative died- 2 candidates- Con, Lab
Warwick DC- Warwick Myton and Heathcote- Conservative disqualified.- 5 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green, Ind
Worthing DC, Salvington- Conservative resigned- 3 candidates- Con, Lab, LD

Not yet called - 7
Bristol CC, Brislington East- Labour died 17 October
Chorley DC, Chorley North West, Independent died 15 September
Derbyshire CC, Whaley Bridge, Conservative died 13 October
Dumfries and Galloway UA, Mid Galloway and Wigtown West Conservative died 25 October
Huntingdonshire DC, St Ives East- Conservative resigned 20 November
North Lincolnshire UA, Ashby- Labour died 29 October
Warrington UA, Burtonwood and Winwick- Labour died 27 October.

[andrewp]

Of the 32 by elections on general Election Day, there are 19 Conservative defences, 12 Labour and 1 where an Independent has resigned

For 32 seats

The Conservatives are contesting 30
Labour 29
Lib Dem 29
Green 19

And then there are 13 Independent candidates, 2 Liberals, 2 from the Women’s Equality party and 2 others.

[mike]

You've missed one out for 12th December.

Horsham District Council - Storrington and Washington. Conservative resigned.

[andrewp]

Nov 22, 2019 23:41:05 GMT mike said:

You've missed one out for 12th December.

Horsham District Council - Storrington and Washington. Conservative resigned.

Thanks. I’ve added it in now 

[listener]

I understand that Jason Ablewhite resigned as Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on 11 November.

Is this covered by the six-month rule? If so, do they stagger on without a PCC for six months - it is not like losing one councillor out of 40 or so.

[timmullen1]

Nov 23, 2019 2:23:13 GMT listener said:

I understand that Jason Ablewhite resigned as Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on 11 November.

Is this covered by the six-month rule? If so, do they stagger on without a PCC for six months - it is not like losing one councillor out of 40 or so.

His Deputy should step up to Acting PCC; Durham is operating under this as Ron Hogg, the elected PCC, has advancing Motor Neurone Disease and is unable to fully carry out his duties.

[andrewteale]

Nov 23, 2019 2:23:13 GMT listener said:

I understand that Jason Ablewhite resigned as Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on 11 November.

Is this covered by the six-month rule? If so, do they stagger on without a PCC for six months - it is not like losing one councillor out of 40 or so.

Yes, the six-month rule applies - Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, section 51(7).

[andrewteale]

There are three Aldermanic elections coming up in the City of London, for Coleman Street, Dowgate and Farrington Within wards. All three Aldermen (respectively Peter Estlin, Alison Gowman and Vincent Keaveny) are seeking re-election. In the event that any of them are opposed for re-election the poll will be on 19th December.

[andrewteale]

Nov 22, 2019 17:01:08 GMT andrewp said:

This weeks by election summary

12 December- 33
Kettering DC, Desborough- Conservative died- 4 candidates- Con, Lab, LD, Green
Kings Lynn and West Norfolk DC- Upwell and Delph- Independent resigned - 3 candidates- Con, Lab, Ind

The Labour candidate in Desborough St Giles is Phil Sawford, the former Labour MP for Kettering.
The independent candidate in Upwell and Delph is Terry Hipsey, a former Conservative leader of Thurrock council who then crossed the floor to Labour.

[Rutlander]

Nov 23, 2019 17:34:00 GMT andrewteale said:

Nov 23, 2019 2:23:13 GMT listener said:

I understand that Jason Ablewhite resigned as Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough on 11 November.

Is this covered by the six-month rule? If so, do they stagger on without a PCC for six months - it is not like losing one councillor out of 40 or so.

Yes, the six-month rule applies - Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, section 51(7).

Jason Ablewhite also resigned as cllr;
Huntingdonshire DC, St Ives East- Conservative resigned 20 November


Ray Bisby, the deputy, takes over on 27 Nov as acting PCC.

[Devil Wincarnate]

Odd story on the Labour candiate for Clissold on Hackney.
www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2019/11/19/selection-of-labour-by-election-candidate-questioned-over-historic-harassment-and-bullying-allegations/

[markgoodair]

www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/politics/departing-wakefield-council-leader-peter-box-step-down-altofts-and-whitwood-councillor-next-week-1323985
Departing Wakefield Council leader Peter Box to step down as Altofts and Whitwood councillor next week

[greenchristian]

Sucha Singh Bains, Labour councillor for Upper Stoke ward in Coventry has passed away. The seat is up in 2022, so there's a decent chance of a double election there in May.