2023-24 Local Government By-Elections

[andrewp]

Worcester, Nunnery is on 20th July

[andrewp]

I heard this morning that Castle Cary is scheduled for 27th July. Is it now too late for it to be held on 20th July to coincide with the Somerton and Frome BE?

[southernliberal]

Jun 19, 2023 14:26:14 GMT andrewp said:

I heard this morning that Castle Cary is scheduled for 27th July. Is it now too late for it to be held on 20th July to coincide with the Somerton and Frome BE?

Is the Somerton and Frome by-election confirmed for the 20th? I thought it could be on the 20th but also could be on the 27th given writ is only being moved tomorrow.

[Davıd Boothroyd]

Jun 19, 2023 17:35:26 GMT southernliberal said:

Jun 19, 2023 14:26:14 GMT andrewp said:

I heard this morning that Castle Cary is scheduled for 27th July. Is it now too late for it to be held on 20th July to coincide with the Somerton and Frome BE?

Is the Somerton and Frome by-election confirmed for the 20th? I thought it could be on the 20th but also could be on the 27th given writ is only being moved tomorrow.

The writ for Somerton and Frome was moved today.

[carolus]

Norfolk, Freebridge Lynn (2025). Nick Daubney (Conservative) has died. www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/one-of-the-good-guys-tributes-paid-to-former-mayor-and-co-9314881/

[Harry Hayfield]

As soon as I saw the by-election notice in Llanfarian, I sent in an application of interest to be the Green candiate for that by-election here in Ceredigion, however the decision to stand has been overuled by the elder members of the party who believe that we should not stand in by-elections for local councils but campaign only, therefore I will not be standing in Llanfarian when nominations close on Friday. Naturally I am disappointed in this, especially as I feel I won't be able to look other Welsh Greens in the face when I tell them of Welsh by-elections and so is the Welsh Party's Culture and Language officer, who has said if I table an amendment to our party constitution at the next AGM later in the year so that we stand at ALL elections in the county, he would support.

[Pete Whitehead]

Jun 21, 2023 17:22:08 GMT Harry Hayfield said:

As soon as I saw the by-election notice in Llanfarian, I sent in an application of interest to be the Green candiate for that by-election here in Ceredigion, however the decision to stand has been overuled by the elder members of the party who believe that we should not stand in by-elections for local councils but campaign only, therefore I will not be standing in Llanfarian when nominations close on Friday. Naturally I am disappointed in this, especially as I feel I won't be able to look other Welsh Greens in the face when I tell them of Welsh by-elections and so is the Welsh Party's Culture and Language officer, who has said if I table an amendment to our party constitution at the next AGM later in the year so that we stand at ALL elections in the county, he would support.

What does this mean? Campaign for the candidate of another party?

[John Chanin]

Jun 21, 2023 18:28:54 GMT Pete Whitehead said:

Jun 21, 2023 17:22:08 GMT Harry Hayfield said:

As soon as I saw the by-election notice in Llanfarian, I sent in an application of interest to be the Green candiate for that by-election here in Ceredigion, however the decision to stand has been overuled by the elder members of the party who believe that we should not stand in by-elections for local councils but campaign only, therefore I will not be standing in Llanfarian when nominations close on Friday. Naturally I am disappointed in this, especially as I feel I won't be able to look other Welsh Greens in the face when I tell them of Welsh by-elections and so is the Welsh Party's Culture and Language officer, who has said if I table an amendment to our party constitution at the next AGM later in the year so that we stand at ALL elections in the county, he would support.

What does this mean? Campaign for the candidate of another party?

It's Harry Hayfield.  Who knows what it means.

[Harry Hayfield]

Jun 21, 2023 18:28:54 GMT Pete Whitehead said:

Jun 21, 2023 17:22:08 GMT Harry Hayfield said:

As soon as I saw the by-election notice in Llanfarian, I sent in an application of interest to be the Green candiate for that by-election here in Ceredigion, however the decision to stand has been overuled by the elder members of the party who believe that we should not stand in by-elections for local councils but campaign only, therefore I will not be standing in Llanfarian when nominations close on Friday. Naturally I am disappointed in this, especially as I feel I won't be able to look other Welsh Greens in the face when I tell them of Welsh by-elections and so is the Welsh Party's Culture and Language officer, who has said if I table an amendment to our party constitution at the next AGM later in the year so that we stand at ALL elections in the county, he would support.

What does this mean? Campaign for the candidate of another party?

I wish I knew what this means. My best guess is that the elder members of the party believe it sufficent to write letters to the local newspaper and then attend protests on a local issue (for example bus services and industrial chicken farms) but not actually stand for election to campaign on those issues in the council chamber.

[Pete Whitehead]

Is it a peculiarly Welsh thing where the party is run by 'Elders'? (I have a mental image of a bunch of druids with long white beards holding forth..)
Is it possible they just didn't want you to stand?

[greenchristian]

Jun 21, 2023 21:17:14 GMT Pete Whitehead said:

Is it a peculiarly Welsh thing where the party is run by 'Elders'? (I have a mental image of a bunch of druids with long white beards holding forth..)
Is it possible they just didn't want you to stand?

The only organisations I've ever come across which are run by "elders" are churches (this being the English translation of one of the Greek words used in the New Testament to describe church leadership roles). So it certainly isn't a general Green Party thing.

My best guess at a sensible meaning if it is what Harry's actually been told is that they want to focus on campaigning in their currently selected target wards with a view to winning them at the next local election. But that's really an argument for standing a paper candidate rather than an argument for not standing at all. The other possibility is that it's a really old-school local party who have no interest at all in seriously contesting elections, and so want to focus on whatever else they've been doing with their share of membership fees.

[timrollpickering]

You mean like the days when the Green Party was mocked as a bunch of upper middle classes gathered in a sitting room to agree things were serious and that they must write a letter to the Guardian?

I seem to be the only one who remembers that Little & Large sketch.

[iang]

Is it because this is one of those areas where local council elections are dominated by Independents, even if some of those independents are actually political party members in reality - but it is considered somehow not the done thing to stand under party colours? Trying to find the nearest thing to a comprehensible explanation

[batman]

Jun 21, 2023 21:37:09 GMT greenchristian said:

Jun 21, 2023 21:17:14 GMT Pete Whitehead said:

Is it a peculiarly Welsh thing where the party is run by 'Elders'? (I have a mental image of a bunch of druids with long white beards holding forth..)
Is it possible they just didn't want you to stand?

The only organisations I've ever come across which are run by "elders" are churches (this being the English translation of one of the Greek words used in the New Testament to describe church leadership roles). So it certainly isn't a general Green Party thing.

My best guess at a sensible meaning if it is what Harry's actually been told is that they want to focus on campaigning in their currently selected target wards with a view to winning them at the next local election. But that's really an argument for standing a paper candidate rather than an argument for not standing at all. The other possibility is that it's a really old-school local party who have no interest at all in seriously contesting elections, and so want to focus on whatever else they've been doing with their share of membership fees.

of course one of the oldest conspiracy theories in the world thinks that there are Elders of Zion who own & run the world. 

[skyep]

Jun 22, 2023 7:33:55 GMT iang said:

Is it because this is one of those areas where local council elections are dominated by Independents, even if some of those independents are actually political party members in reality - but it is considered somehow not the done thing to stand under party colours? Trying to find the nearest thing to a comprehensible explanation

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Ceredigion_County_Council_election

there seem to be a fairly decent number of independents on the council, but for the ward in question, only two candidates in 2022, both from a party. so unless there is an independent planning to stand this time, who the greens want to back, it seems that isn't the reason - and if it was, surely that would have been an explanation given that was more transparent?

it just seems like it's one of those local parties that thinks it's better off saving resources, money, time, by only standing in pre-agreed 'target seats'...

[skyep]

...also 5 completely unopposed seats, including 3 different parties and independents winning that way...

which i guess can be what ends up happening when local parties do only a target seats strategy...

[Davıd Boothroyd]

Middlesbrough, Ayresome ward - impending resignation of Antony High (Lab) due to pressures of work. Originally elected as Independent in 2019.

[carolus]

Buckinghamshire, Denham will be on 27 July.

East Sussex, Heathfield & Mayfield will be on 27 July.

[lackeroftalent]

Derbyshire, Swadlincote South (2025). Roger Redfern (Conservative) has died.

www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/miners-arms-pub-landlord-dedicated-8545049

[carolus]

29 June:
Bedford, Wyboston (2027). Tom Wootton (Conservative) has been disqualified due to being elected mayor.
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, East Cliff & Springbourne (2027). Martin Bedford (Labour) has resigned.
Dorset, Sherborne West (2024). Matt Hall (Liberal Democrat) has resigned.
Haringey, Hermitage & Gardens (2026). Julie Davies (Labour) has died.
Southwark, Newington (2026). Alice Macdonald (Labour) has ceased to be a councillor.

4 July:
Cambridge, King's Hedges (2027). Alex Collis (Labour) has resigned.

6 July:
Kent, Maidstone Central (2025). Dan Daley (Liberal Democrat) has died.
South Lanarkshire, East Kilbride West (2027). Ali Salamati (SNP) has ceased to be a councillor.

13 July:
City of London, Castle Baynard (Alderman). Ian Luder has resigned.
Newham, Boleyn (2026). Cecilia Welsh (Labour) has resigned.
Newham, Wall End (2026). Luke Charters (Labour) has resigned.
Norfolk, West Depwade (2025). Barry Duffin (Conservative) has died.
Rotherham, Dinnington (2024). Charlie Wooding (Independent elected as Conservative) has been disqualified for non-attendance.

20 July:
Ceredigion, Llanfarian (2027). Geraint Hughes (Liberal Democrat) has resigned.

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

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

27 July:

Buckinghamshire, Denham (2025). Paul Bass (Conservative) has resigned.

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

Plymouth, Plymstock Dunstone (2026). Vivien Pengelley (Conservative) has died.

Plymouth, St Peter & The Waterfront (2026). Susan McDonald (Labour) has resigned.

Somerset, Castle Cary (2026). Mike Lewis (Conservative) has died.

Warrington, Paulton North (2024). Diana Friend (Labour) has ceased to be a councillor.

Known Vacancies:
Barking & Dagenham, Mayesbrook (2026). Nashitha Choudhury (Labour) has resigned.

Caerphilly, Penmaen (2027). Jim Sadler (Labour) has died.

Derbyshire, Swadlincote South (2025). Roger Redfern (Conservative) has died.

Dudley, Wollescote & Cradley (2027). Richard Body (Labour) has died.
East Sussex, Meads (2025). Barry Taylor (Conservative) has died.
Havering, Upminster (2026). Linda Hawthorn (Havering Residents' Association) has died.
Herefordshire, Golden Valley South (2027). Peter Jinman (Independent for Herefordshire) has died.

High Peak, St John's (2027). Pauline Bell (Labour) has ceased to be a councillor.

Middlesbrough, Ayresome (2027). Antony High (Labour) has resigned.

Norfolk, Freebridge Lynn (2025). Nick Daubney (Conservative) has died

Reading, Norcot (2027). Colette Dennis (Labour) has died.

Somerset, Castle Cary (2026). Mike Lewis (Conservative) has died.

St Albans, Marshalwick East & Jersey Farm (2024). Elissa da Costa-Waldman (Liberal Democrat) has ceased to be a councillor