2023-24 Local Government By-Elections

[John Chanin]

May 10, 2023 17:33:31 GMT carolus said:

May 10, 2023 17:22:03 GMT Tony Otim said:

That's 3 by-elections from last week's seats already...

I'm sure soon we'll get the wave of "oops, I really didn't want to get elected" resignations, too.

If you are an accidental councillor, you have four choices

(a) to suck it up and get on with it
(b) to do the bare minimum until the next election (doesn't require much after all)
(c) to resign after a decent interval so as not to cause ructions
(d) to resign straight away, because you're not prepared to do the job.

I think (d) is actually the least common choice, but it is honest.

[mattb]

May 11, 2023 7:28:34 GMT John Chanin said:

If you are an accidental councillor, you have four choices

(a) to suck it up and get on with it
(b) to do the bare minimum until the next election (doesn't require much after all)
(c) to resign after a decent interval so as not to cause ructions
(d) to resign straight away, because you're not prepared to do the job.

I think (d) is actually the least common choice, but it is honest.

(d) is only honest if you have told your electorate beforehand that you will not serve if elected. (which should avoid you getting elected in the first place). If you are not prepared even to do (b) you really shouldn't stand (in my view).

[John Chanin]

May 11, 2023 7:59:21 GMT mattb said:

May 11, 2023 7:28:34 GMT John Chanin said:

If you are an accidental councillor, you have four choices

(a) to suck it up and get on with it
(b) to do the bare minimum until the next election (doesn't require much after all)
(c) to resign after a decent interval so as not to cause ructions
(d) to resign straight away, because you're not prepared to do the job.

I think (d) is actually the least common choice, but it is honest.

(d) is only honest if you have told your electorate beforehand that you will not serve if elected. (which should avoid you getting elected in the first place). If you are not prepared even to do (b) you really shouldn't stand (in my view).

The Liberal Democrats have a lot of paper candidates who have just been unexpectedly elected, and are therefore faced with this dilemma.  You can be sure that no Liberal Democrats have announced in their election address that they are unprepared to serve.  And don't try and tell me that the Liberal Democrats don't run paper candidates.

Your comment is therefore pious nonsense.

[mattb]

May 11, 2023 8:41:27 GMT John Chanin said:

May 11, 2023 7:59:21 GMT mattb said:

(d) is only honest if you have told your electorate beforehand that you will not serve if elected. (which should avoid you getting elected in the first place). If you are not prepared even to do (b) you really shouldn't stand (in my view).

The Liberal Democrats have a lot of paper candidates who have just been unexpectedly elected, and are therefore faced with this dilemma.  You can be sure that no Liberal Democrats have announced in their election address that they are unprepared to serve.  And don't try and tell me that the Liberal Democrats don't run paper candidates.

Your comment is therefore pious nonsense.

It was a personal view. Pious maybe, but not nonsense. Standing for election, winning, and then immediately resigning is not 'honest'.
You are also quite right no doubt some LDs are now having to decide between the options you set out.

[Crimson King]

May 11, 2023 8:41:27 GMT John Chanin said:

May 11, 2023 7:59:21 GMT mattb said:

(d) is only honest if you have told your electorate beforehand that you will not serve if elected. (which should avoid you getting elected in the first place). If you are not prepared even to do (b) you really shouldn't stand (in my view).

The Liberal Democrats have a lot of paper candidates who have just been unexpectedly elected, and are therefore faced with this dilemma.  You can be sure that no Liberal Democrats have announced in their election address that they are unprepared to serve.  And don't try and tell me that the Liberal Democrats don't run paper candidates.

Your comment is therefore pious nonsense.

to be fair, I think you are agreeing.
Obviously all parties run paper candidates, and obviously no one says in advance they would refuse to serve. We always tell paper candidates that there is a tiny chance of being elected, and should that happen they would get plenty of support from us to manage at least (b). However I doubt may genuine no hopers got elected - and where it has happened it will likely be in circumstances when their party has done well generally so there will be support available.

[uthacalthing]

You could defect to Sinn Fein.

[carolus]

Swindon, St Margaret & South Marston (2026). Pam Adams (Labour) has ceased to be a councillor.

[carolus]

17 May:
Stroud, Painswick & Upton (2024). Jason Bullingham (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.

22 May:
Isles of Scilly, St Mary's (2025). Mike Nelhams (Independent) was disqualified for non-attendance.

25 May:
North Yorkshire, Eastfield (2026). Tony Randerson (Labour) has resigned.

1 June:
Camden, South Hampstead (2026). Will Prince (Labour) has resigned.

8 June:
Wiltshire, Tisbury (2025). Nick Errington (Liberal Democrat) has ceased to be a councillor.

13 June:
St Albans, St Peters (2024). Danny Clare (Liberal Democrat) has ceased to be a councillor.

15 June:

North Lanarkshire, Bellshill (2026). Jordan Linden (SNP) has resigned.

South Derbyshire, Hilton (x3). Abandoned due to the death of Gillian Lemmon (Conservative).

Southampton, Coxford (x3). Abandoned due to the death of Graham Galton (Conservative).

Sunderland, Hendon. Countermanded due to the death of Syed Ali (Conservative).

Surrey Heath, Frimley Green (x3). Countermanded due to the death of Karen Campion (Conservative).
West Devon, Burrator (x2). Countermanded due to the death of Neill Jameson (Green).

22 June:

Bath & North East Somerset , Paulton (x2). Countermanded due to the death of Tim Morgan (Green).

Stockton-on-Tees, Hartburn (x2). Countermanded due to the death of Mike Elliot (Reform UK).

Surrey Heath, Frimley Green (x3). Countermanded due to the death of Karen Campion (Conservative).
West Devon, Burrator (x2). Countermanded due to the death of Neill Jameson (Green).

Wyre, Warren (x3). Countermanded due to the death of Brian Crawford (Independent).

29 June:

Bedford, Wyboston. Tom Wootton (Conservative) has been disqualified due to being elected mayor.

Known Vacancies:

Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, East Cliff & Springbourne (2027). Martin Bedford (Labour) has resigned.

Dorset, Sherborne West (2024). Matt Hall (Liberal Democrat) has resigned.

Dudley, Wollescote & Cradley (2027). Richard Body (Labour) has died.

East Sussex, Heathfield & Mayfield (2025). Rupert Simmons (Conservative) has died.

Haringey, Hermitage & Gardens (2026). Julie Davies (Labour) has died.

Kent, Maidstone Central (2025). Dan Daley (Liberal Democrat) has died.
Norfolk, West Depwade (2025). Barry Duffin (Conservative) has died.
Plymouth, Efford & Lipson (2024). Brian Vincent (Labour) has died.
Somerset, Castle Cary. Mike Lewis (Conservative) has died.

South Lanarkshire, East Kilbride West. Ali Salamati (SNP) has ceased to be a councillor.

Swindon, St Margaret & South Marston (2026). Pam Adams (Labour) has ceased to be a councillor.

Worcester, Nunnery (2024). Simon Cronin (Labour) has died.

Postponed Elections:
West Lancashire, Rural South (x3). Countermanded due to the death of Ian Davis (Our West Lancashire).

[Davıd Boothroyd]

Plymouth, Efford and Lipson is 15 June: www.plymouth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/Notice%20of%20Election_0.pdf
Surrey Heath, Frimley Green is also 15 June (not 22 June): www.surreyheath.gov.uk/notice-election-frimley-green
West Devon, Burrator is likewise 15 June (not 22 June): westdevon.gov.uk/article/10033/Notice-of-Election-Burrator-Ward

[carolus]

May 12, 2023 17:59:28 GMT Davıd Boothroyd said:

Plymouth, Efford and Lipson is 15 June: www.plymouth.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-05/Notice%20of%20Election_0.pdf
Surrey Heath, Frimley Green is also 15 June (not 22 June): www.surreyheath.gov.uk/notice-election-frimley-green
West Devon, Burrator is likewise 15 June (not 22 June): westdevon.gov.uk/article/10033/Notice-of-Election-Burrator-Ward

Misread my own post!

[evergreenadam]

One to watch in North Lincs.

Hundreds of uncounted North Lincolnshire local election votes found www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-65570851

[Sharon]

May 12, 2023 15:52:42 GMT carolus said:

17 May:
Stroud, Painswick & Upton (2024). Jason Bullingham (Conservative) has ceased to be a councillor.

22 May:
Isles of Scilly, St Mary's (2025). Mike Nelhams (Independent) was disqualified for non-attendance.

25 May:
North Yorkshire, Eastfield (2026). Tony Randerson (Labour) has resigned.

1 June:
Camden, South Hampstead (2026). Will Prince (Labour) has resigned.

8 June:
Wiltshire, Tisbury (2025). Nick Errington (Liberal Democrat) has ceased to be a councillor.

13 June:
St Albans, St Peters (2024). Danny Clare (Liberal Democrat) has ceased to be a councillor.

15 June:

North Lanarkshire, Bellshill (2026). Jordan Linden (SNP) has resigned.

South Derbyshire, Hilton (x3). Abandoned due to the death of Gillian Lemmon (Conservative).

Southampton, Coxford (x3). Abandoned due to the death of Graham Galton (Conservative).

Sunderland, Hendon. Countermanded due to the death of Syed Ali (Conservative).

Surrey Heath, Frimley Green (x3). Countermanded due to the death of Karen Campion (Conservative).
West Devon, Burrator (x2). Countermanded due to the death of Neill Jameson (Green).

22 June:

Bath & North East Somerset , Paulton (x2). Countermanded due to the death of Tim Morgan (Green).

Stockton-on-Tees, Hartburn (x2). Countermanded due to the death of Mike Elliot (Reform UK).

Surrey Heath, Frimley Green (x3). Countermanded due to the death of Karen Campion (Conservative).
West Devon, Burrator (x2). Countermanded due to the death of Neill Jameson (Green).

Wyre, Warren (x3). Countermanded due to the death of Brian Crawford (Independent).

29 June:

Bedford, Wyboston. Tom Wootton (Conservative) has been disqualified due to being elected mayor.

Known Vacancies:

Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, East Cliff & Springbourne (2027). Martin Bedford (Labour) has resigned.

Dorset, Sherborne West (2024). Matt Hall (Liberal Democrat) has resigned.

Dudley, Wollescote & Cradley (2027). Richard Body (Labour) has died.

East Sussex, Heathfield & Mayfield (2025). Rupert Simmons (Conservative) has died.

Haringey, Hermitage & Gardens (2026). Julie Davies (Labour) has died.

Kent, Maidstone Central (2025). Dan Daley (Liberal Democrat) has died.
Norfolk, West Depwade (2025). Barry Duffin (Conservative) has died.
Plymouth, Efford & Lipson (2024). Brian Vincent (Labour) has died.
Somerset, Castle Cary. Mike Lewis (Conservative) has died.

South Lanarkshire, East Kilbride West. Ali Salamati (SNP) has ceased to be a councillor.

Swindon, St Margaret & South Marston (2026). Pam Adams (Labour) has ceased to be a councillor.

Worcester, Nunnery (2024). Simon Cronin (Labour) has died.

Postponed Elections:
West Lancashire, Rural South (x3). Countermanded due to the death of Ian Davis (Our West Lancashire).

An announcement will be made next week about the countermanded election in Coxford, SCC - As soon as it's official, I'll post here.

[carolus]

West Devon, Tavistock North. Terry Wheeler (Green) has resigned.

[andrewp]

May 15, 2023 13:13:57 GMT carolus said:

West Devon, Tavistock North. Terry Wheeler (Green) has resigned.

Accidental and unwelcome victory?

[Rutlander]

Cambridge, King's Hedges ward. Alex Collis (LAB) has resigned.
She was dep. leader of the city council; has also left the Labour Party.
Only re-elected on 4th May (with a significant swing to the CON candidate)

[carolus]

May 15, 2023 13:20:36 GMT andrewp said:

May 15, 2023 13:13:57 GMT carolus said:

West Devon, Tavistock North. Terry Wheeler (Green) has resigned.

Accidental and unwelcome victory?

Seems plausible - she was third, behind an Independent and a Lib Dem. No Green candidate in 2019, although there was a byelection in 2022 where the Greens (different candidate) came third in a close Con/LD result for first.

[Sharon]

Coxford countermanded election for 3 City Councillors on 22nd June 2023.

www.southampton.gov.uk/council-democracy/voting-and-elections/elections-and-referenda/coxford-ward-election-22-june-2023/

[carolus]

Swindon, St Margaret & South Marston (2026). Pam Adams (Labour) has died.

[carolus]

South Lanarkshire, East Kilbride West is on 6 July.

West Devon, Tavistock North will be on 22 June.

West Lancashire, Rural South (3) will be on 22 June.

[southernliberal]

Two by-elections triggered for Newham.

Councillor Cecilia Welsh has stood down from Newham Council in order to focus on looking after her family as her mother has increasing care needs. Councillor Luke Charters has also stood down to focus on winning for Labour at the next general election as the Member of Parliament for York Outer.

www.newhamlabour.org/2023/05/18/by-elections-to-be-called-in-boleyn-and-wall-end-wards/