Swindon

[Admin Twaddleford]

Con majority
Elects by thirds
Current composition: Con 31, Lab 23, LD 2, 1 vacant at time of posting

[swindonlad]

Vacancy is covered by the 6 month rule, so no by-election.

[swindonlad]

Up for election are 19 seats, including the vacancy

Con 10 up, 1 elected as L (Lydiard and Freshbrook), other 2 are C; 1 in a split ward (Wroughton & Wichelstowe) where there's a LD along with 2 C

Lab 7, 1 in a split ward (Old Town), 2L, 1C who was elected last year

LD 1, Eastcott, other 2 are L

Vacancy 1, Rodbourne Cheney, elected as L

[swindonlad]

After a defection
Con 32, Lab 22, LD 2 Vac 1

Think this makes it very likely it will be a Con hold

[swindonlad]

Looks like there could be a slate of Independent Conservative candidates on the ballot papers, they have 2 councillors & are planning to run candidates in May. If they can get the description sorted it may be enough to get Conservatives to lose enough seats to Labour or Lib Dems to take it into NOC

Currently it's
CON 30
LAB 22
LD 2
IND C 2
Vacancy 1

The vacancy is a safe Labour seat, which means 2 losses are needed, the main ones at risk are St Margaret & South Marston (Deputy leader of the council); Lydiard & Freshbrook (elected as Lab, other 2 C); Wroughton & Wichelstowe (won by LD in 2018)

[peterl]

Interesting, probably a sufficient development to push Swindon from "Toss us" to "probable Tory loss" seeing as its one of the most marginal councils in the south west.