Local Council by-elections 27th February 2020

[Tony Otim]

BLABY DC; Millfield (Lab died)
Candidates:
BROWN, Nick (Labour)
CASHMORE, Anthony Robert (Conservative)
STARTIN-LORENT, Christiane (Green)

2019: Lab 282; Con 248
2015: Lab unopp
2011: Lab 483; Con 401
2007: Lab unopp
2003: Con 306; Lab 278

Anthony Cashmore was the unsuccessful candidate for the Tories last May.

Current Council: Con 25; LD 6; Lab 5; Grn 1; Ind 1; 1 vacancy.



CAMBRIDGESHIRE CC; Duxford (Con resigned)
Candidates:
EDWARDS, Stephen John (Conservative)
McDONALD, Peter John (Liberal Democrat)

2017: Con 2066; LD 1248; Lab 286; Grn 148

Peter McDonald was runner up for the Lib Dems in 2017 and is incumbent district councillor for Duxford ward on South Cambs DC, where he beat Stephen Edwards in the 2018 election.. The old Duxford division had been a Lib Dem seat up until 2013.

Current Council: Con 35; LD 15; Lab 7; St Neots Independent Group 2; Ind 1; 1 vacancy



CHESHIRE EAST UA; Crewe South (Lab died)
Candidates:
CARTLIDGE, Roy (Independent)
DEAKIN, Martin William (Conservative)
McCARTHY, Richard Giles (Green)
SILVESTER, Brian George (Independent)
SMITH, Laura (Labour)

2019: Lab 1138, 1052; Con 471, 466; LD 240
2015: Lab 2159, 1727; Con 1104, 1016; UKIP 632, 560; Grn 389
2011: Lab 970, 899; Con 507, 489; LD 147, 146

Laura Smith was, of course, the MP for Crewe and Nantwich from 2017-2019. Brian Silvester needs no introduction to forum regulars...

Current Council: Con 33; Lab 24; Ind 12; LD 4; Residents of Wilmslow 4; Bollington First 2;
Alderley Edge First 1; Handforth Ratepayers 1; 1 vacancy



HILLINGDON LBC; Hillingdon East (Con resigned)
Candidates:
COURTENAY, Geoff (UKIP)
HOOPER, Chris (Liberal Democrat)
KEIR, Mark Alan (Green)
ROBERTS, Annelise Mary Gabrielle (Labour)
SULLIVAN, Colleen Margaret Ann (Conservative)

2018: Con 2200, 2053, 2052; Lab 1333, 1314, 1239; DVP 153
2014: Con 1572, 1418, 1400; Lab 1005, 786, 769; UKIP 763; LD 507, 448, 445; TUSC 106
2010: Con 2595, 2387, 2345; LD 1823, 1713, 1670; Lab 1362, 1234, 1201
2006: LD 1303, 1195, 1135; Con 1279, 1200, 1152; Lab 677, 591, 554; Ind 222
2002: LD 1244, 1164, 1159; Lab 1045, 1001, 969; Con 904, 833, 833

Current Council: Con 43; Lab 21; 1 vacancy



MANCHESTER MBC; Clayton and Openshaw (Lab died)
Candidates:
AKHTAR, Sham Raja (Conservative)
DOBSON, Kenneth (Independent)
MANDONGWE, Sherita (Labour)
NSUMBU, Claude-Diele (Liberal Democrats)
WELSH, Jake (Green)

2019: Lab 1346; Ind 1334; Grn 109; Con 106; LD 99
2018: Lab 2103, 1722, 1592: No Desc 603; LD 279, 162, 118; Grn 220; Con 217, 152, 142

Kenneth Dobson was the Independent who almost won last year and the No Description candidate in 2018. He had previously stood as an independent and for the Liberal Party in the old Ancoats and Clayton ward. Jake Welsh was the Green candidate here last year.

Current Council: Lab 92; LD 3; 1 vacancy



SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE DC; Whittlesford (Con resigned)
Candidates:
HOBRO, James William Douglas (Liberal Democrat)
WILLIAMS, Richard Lynn (Conservative)

2018: Con 714; Lab 180; LD 164; Grn 70

This ward is contained in the Duxford division of Cambridgeshire CC (see above) and was represented by the same councillor.

Current Council: LD 30; Con 10; Lab 2; Ind 2; 1 vacancy



WREXHAM UA; Gwersyllt North (Ind resigned)
Candidates:
DAVIES, Martyn (Independent)
HAY, Helen (Independent)
KELLY, Graham (Liberal Democrat)
KENT, Jeremy Richard (Conservative)
McCANN, Bernie (Independent)
POWELL, Colin (Labour)
REES, Duncan (Green)
REES, Phil (Plaid Cymru)

2017: Ind 282; Lab 195; Con 142; Ind 89
2012: Lab 430; PC 164
2008: Lab 408; Ind 151; LD 75
2004: Lab 401; Forward Wales 104; LD 84

Current Council: Ind 17; Lab 12; Con 8; Wrexham Independents 8; PC 3; LD 2; Non-aligned 1; 1 vacancy

[gwynthegriff]

Feb 17, 2020 20:40:39 GMT Tony Otim said:

CHESHIRE EAST UA; Crewe South (Lab died)
Candidates:
CARTLIDGE, Roy (Independent)
DEAKIN, Martin William (Conservative)
McCARTHY, Richard Giles (Green)
SILVESTER, Brian George (Independent)
SMITH, Laura (Labour)

2019: Lab 1138, 1052; Con 471, 466; LD 240
2015: Lab 2159, 1727; Con 1104, 1016; UKIP 632, 560; Grn 389
2011: Lab 970, 899; Con 507, 489; LD 147, 146

Laura Smith was, of course, the MP for Crewe and Nantwich from 2017-2019. Brian Silvester needs no introduction to forum regulars...

Current Council: Con 33; Lab 24; Ind 12; LD 4; Residents of Wilmslow 4; Bollington First 2;
Alderley Edge First 1; Handforth Ratepayers 1; 1 vacancy

Roy Cartlidge was a Labour councillor on Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council. When he failed to get the Labour nomination for Cheshire East (gender-balanced slates and all that) he established the Crewe West End Socialist Party and stood under that label. He was not elected. I'm pretty sure there is no overlap between this ward and the one he previously represented.

The 2011 election was delayed as a candidate died after nominations had closed.

[andrewp]

Feb 17, 2020 21:43:25 GMT gwynthegriff said:

Feb 17, 2020 20:40:39 GMT Tony Otim said:

CHESHIRE EAST UA; Crewe South (Lab died)
Candidates:
CARTLIDGE, Roy (Independent)
DEAKIN, Martin William (Conservative)
McCARTHY, Richard Giles (Green)
SILVESTER, Brian George (Independent)
SMITH, Laura (Labour)

2019: Lab 1138, 1052; Con 471, 466; LD 240
2015: Lab 2159, 1727; Con 1104, 1016; UKIP 632, 560; Grn 389
2011: Lab 970, 899; Con 507, 489; LD 147, 146

Laura Smith was, of course, the MP for Crewe and Nantwich from 2017-2019. Brian Silvester needs no introduction to forum regulars...

Current Council: Con 33; Lab 24; Ind 12; LD 4; Residents of Wilmslow 4; Bollington First 2;
Alderley Edge First 1; Handforth Ratepayers 1; 1 vacancy

Roy Cartlidge was a Labour councillor on Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council. When he failed to get the Labour nomination for Cheshire East (gender-balanced slates and all that) he established the Crewe West End Socialist Party and stood under that label. He was not elected. I'm pretty sure there is no overlap between this ward and the one he previously represented.

The 2011 election was delayed as a candidate died after nominations had closed.

The second Labour MP defeated in December who is likely to join their local council.

[iang]

Is there any reason why the Tories have twice failed to nominate in Blaby in the last four rounds of elections, when they seem to at least competitive when they do stand?

[gwynthegriff]

Feb 17, 2020 20:40:39 GMT Tony Otim said:

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CC; Duxford (Con resigned)
Candidates:
EDWARDS, Stephen John (Conservative)
McDONALD, Peter John (Liberal Democrat)

2017: Con 2066; LD 1248; Lab 286; Grn 148

Peter McDonald was runner up for the Lib Dems in 2017 and is incumbent district councillor for Duxford ward on South Cambs DC, where he beat Stephen Edwards in the 2018 election.. The old Duxford division had been a Lib Dem seat up until 2013.

Current Council: Con 35; LD 15; Lab 7; St Neots Independent Group 2; Ind 1; 1 vacancy

Peter McDonald and I were fellow members of the South Cheshire Young Liberals in the 80s. Lost contact with him for 30 years - friends reunited via vote-2012!

[Deleted]

Feb 18, 2020 9:59:04 GMT iang said:

Is there any reason why the Tories have twice failed to nominate in Blaby in the last four rounds of elections, when they seem to at least competitive when they do stand?

My thoughts exactly - unless they have an alternate election strategy 

[Tony Otim]

Feb 18, 2020 9:59:04 GMT iang said:

Is there any reason why the Tories have twice failed to nominate in Blaby in the last four rounds of elections, when they seem to at least competitive when they do stand?

Lack of available candidates? It affects all parties, even the big 2, in some areas.

[mark1968]

MANCHESTER MBC; Clayton and Openshaw (Lab died)
Candidates:
AKHTAR, Sham Raja (Conservative)
DOBSON, Kenneth (Independent)
MANDONGWE, Sherita (Labour)
NSUMBU, Claude-Diele (Liberal Democrats)
WELSH, Jake (Green)

2019: Lab 1346; Ind 1334; Grn 109; Con 106; LD 99
2018: Lab 2103, 1722, 1592: No Desc 603; LD 279, 162, 118; Grn 220; Con 217, 152, 142

Kenneth Dobson was the Independent who almost won last year and the No Description candidate in 2018. He had previously stood as an independent and for the Liberal Party in the old Ancoats and Clayton ward. Jake Welsh was the Green candidate here last year.

Current Council: Lab 92; LD 3; 1 vacancy

If Kenneth Dobson does win this ward he would become the first Independent to be elected to Manchester City Council since 1937. The last Independent to be elected for Manchester City Council was Albert Edwards who won the old Moss Side East ward and served 1937 until 1946, 

[finsobruce]

Feb 19, 2020 16:52:27 GMT mark1968 said:

MANCHESTER MBC; Clayton and Openshaw (Lab died)
Candidates:
AKHTAR, Sham Raja (Conservative)
DOBSON, Kenneth (Independent)
MANDONGWE, Sherita (Labour)
NSUMBU, Claude-Diele (Liberal Democrats)
WELSH, Jake (Green)

2019: Lab 1346; Ind 1334; Grn 109; Con 106; LD 99
2018: Lab 2103, 1722, 1592: No Desc 603; LD 279, 162, 118; Grn 220; Con 217, 152, 142

Kenneth Dobson was the Independent who almost won last year and the No Description candidate in 2018. He had previously stood as an independent and for the Liberal Party in the old Ancoats and Clayton ward. Jake Welsh was the Green candidate here last year.

Current Council: Lab 92; LD 3; 1 vacancy

If Kenneth Dobson does win this ward he would become the first Independent to be elected to Manchester City Council since 1937. The last Independent to be elected for Manchester City Council was Albert Edwards who won the old Moss Side East ward and served 1937 until 1946, 

What sort of independent was Edwards?

[lancastrian]

Feb 18, 2020 20:47:21 GMT Tony Otim said:

Feb 18, 2020 9:59:04 GMT iang said:

Is there any reason why the Tories have twice failed to nominate in Blaby in the last four rounds of elections, when they seem to at least competitive when they do stand?

Lack of available candidates? It affects all parties, even the big 2, in some areas.

The ward in question is functionally part of Leicester, where the Tories probably are short of candidates, but given it's in Blaby district you'd think they could find a candidate further out somewhere.

[froome]

Feb 19, 2020 18:47:19 GMT lancastrian said:

Feb 18, 2020 20:47:21 GMT Tony Otim said:

Lack of available candidates? It affects all parties, even the big 2, in some areas.

The ward in question is functionally part of Leicester, where the Tories probably are short of candidates, but given it's in Blaby district you'd think they could find a candidate further out somewhere.

It may be more to do with having a candidate who actually wants to be the councillor for that ward. Finding a candidate per se shouldn't be difficult, but in a ward which is obviously marginal, the candidate would need to be willing to step up to their responsibilities should they be elected.

[Tony Otim]

It should also be pointed out, that although marginal, this was the third worst ward for the Conservatives in Blaby in 2011, so wouldn't have been high on priority list if short of candidates. They also left 4 of the 6 seats in the two wards they were weaker than this uncontested in 2015, so it seems there was something of a lack of candidates.

[mark1968]

Feb 19, 2020 17:54:28 GMT finsobruce said:

Feb 19, 2020 16:52:27 GMT mark1968 said:

MANCHESTER MBC; Clayton and Openshaw (Lab died)
Candidates:
AKHTAR, Sham Raja (Conservative)
DOBSON, Kenneth (Independent)
MANDONGWE, Sherita (Labour)
NSUMBU, Claude-Diele (Liberal Democrats)
WELSH, Jake (Green)

2019: Lab 1346; Ind 1334; Grn 109; Con 106; LD 99
2018: Lab 2103, 1722, 1592: No Desc 603; LD 279, 162, 118; Grn 220; Con 217, 152, 142

Kenneth Dobson was the Independent who almost won last year and the No Description candidate in 2018. He had previously stood as an independent and for the Liberal Party in the old Ancoats and Clayton ward. Jake Welsh was the Green candidate here last year.

Current Council: Lab 92; LD 3; 1 vacancy

If Kenneth Dobson does win this ward he would become the first Independent to be elected to Manchester City Council since 1937. The last Independent to be elected for Manchester City Council was Albert Edwards who won the old Moss Side East ward and served 1937 until 1946, 

What sort of independent was Edwards?

Albert Edwards spent most of the interwar period campaigning for the improvement of rights for those in privately rented housing , often lobbying the government of the day directly, Moss Side East was in the 1930's made up of 70 per cent privately rented housing. Edwards won in 1937 on his 10th attempt at election in the ward. He clearly had a vast personal vote as when other candidates ran under his Tenants Rights label in Manchester they could poll no more than a few hundred votes, compared to the 1,200 votes that Edwards polled in 1937, both Labour and Conservatives ran against him ( he gained the seat from the Conservatives). He also stood for Manchester Moss Side in the 1945 General Election but only polled 400 votes and lost his council seat by a large margin to Labour in 1946. 

[Devil Wincarnate]

Albert Edwards was regarded as quite formidable. And well-liked. Members of my family were involved in Hulme/Moss Side Tories and his name came up occasionally.

[Merseymike]

Feb 23, 2020 21:21:00 GMT Devil Wincarnate said:

Albert Edwards was regarded as quite formidable. And well-liked. Members of my family were involved in Hulme/Moss Side Tories and his name came up occasionally.

Hulme and Moss Side Tories. Not a very common breed any more!

[heslingtonian]

Talking of which why was Moss Side a relatively secure Conservative seat until 1974? Even in the 1950s and 1960s surely its demographics would have been more helpful to Labour.

[andrewteale]

Feb 23, 2020 22:44:48 GMT heslingtonian said:

Talking of which why was Moss Side a relatively secure Conservative seat until 1974? Even in the 1950s and 1960s surely its demographics would have been more helpful to Labour.

Boundaries is the short answer: the old Moss Side seat had Whalley Range and Chorlton-cum-Hardy in it. It was a middle-class suburban seat that just happened to include Moss Side.

[owainsutton]

Feb 23, 2020 22:55:25 GMT andrewteale said:

Feb 23, 2020 22:44:48 GMT heslingtonian said:

Talking of which why was Moss Side a relatively secure Conservative seat until 1974? Even in the 1950s and 1960s surely its demographics would have been more helpful to Labour.

Boundaries is the short answer: the old Moss Side seat had Whalley Range and Chorlton-cum-Hardy in it. It was a middle-class suburban seat that just happened to include Moss Side.

See also, the present-day Manchester Gorton constituency.

[owainsutton]

(Although that particular type of "middle-class suburban" is massively Labour at present.)

[Merseymike]

Feb 23, 2020 23:13:16 GMT owainsutton said:

(Although that particular type of "middle-class suburban" is massively Labour at present.)

Of course Charlton and Whalley Range were once Tory areas. They are now very much full of middle class left wingers with lots of degrees