Post by middleenglander on Jan 7, 2013 1:07:28 GMT
There were 243 seats contested in local council by-elections during 2012, including not only single contests on the day of the main elections in May but also double / triple elections. A total of 66 seats changed hands or 27% of the number contested.
The table below analyses these number in more detail. It also includes a comparison with 2011, when the main District Councils on a 4 year cycle held their elections, and 2010 when the General election was held in May. All figures exclude deferred or delayed elections, including Exeter and Norwich in 2010.
The proportion of seats changing hands averages around 30% over these 3 years, a figure that is consistent with earlier studies.
In addition to these by-elections, 35 vacancies occurred in 2012 subject to the "6 month" rule or earlier vacancies left unfilled, with 64 in 2011 and 27 in 2010. Overall an average of 5 vacancies have occurred each week during the past 3 years.
Each of the 3 years has seen just over 40% of the vacancies arising from the death of the sitting councillor. In addition to resignations for a variety of reasons there are a few percentage each year due to disqualification, although a resignation sometimes occurs shortly before a councillor is to be disqualified.
The table below analyses these number in more detail. It also includes a comparison with 2011, when the main District Councils on a 4 year cycle held their elections, and 2010 when the General election was held in May. All figures exclude deferred or delayed elections, including Exeter and Norwich in 2010.
| 2012 | 2012 | 2011 | 2011 | 2010 | 2010 | |
| Number | Changed | Number | Changed | Number | Changed | |
| England only: | ||||||
| - January to April | 48 | 40% | 22 | 32% | 41 | 44% |
| - 1st week of May, single contests | 23 | 13% | 23 | 17% | 38 | 26% |
| - 1st week of May, multi contests | 29 | 17% | 25 | 36% | 45 | 22% |
| - Other May to August | 53 | 13% | 30 | 37% | 48 | 38% |
| - September and October | 30 | 37% | 36 | 17% | 58 | 22% |
| - PCC elections day | 34 | 24% | - | - | - | - |
| - November & December | 15 | 33% | 26 | 31% | 31 | 32% |
| England total | 232 | 25% | 162 | 28% | 261 | 30% |
| Scotland | 3 | 100% | 18 | 44% | 4 | 25% |
| Wales | 8 | 63% | 12 | 75% | 16 | 38% |
| GB total | 243 | 27% | 192 | 32% | 281 | 31% |
The proportion of seats changing hands averages around 30% over these 3 years, a figure that is consistent with earlier studies.
In addition to these by-elections, 35 vacancies occurred in 2012 subject to the "6 month" rule or earlier vacancies left unfilled, with 64 in 2011 and 27 in 2010. Overall an average of 5 vacancies have occurred each week during the past 3 years.
Each of the 3 years has seen just over 40% of the vacancies arising from the death of the sitting councillor. In addition to resignations for a variety of reasons there are a few percentage each year due to disqualification, although a resignation sometimes occurs shortly before a councillor is to be disqualified.