Local by-elections/Countermanded elections - 13/15th June 23

[Tony Otim]

Tuesday 13th June:

ST ALBANS DC; St Peters (Lib Dem resigned)
Candidates:
BYATT, David James (Labour)
KILLEN, Ambrose (Conservative)
PARTRIDGE, David John (Liberal Democrats)
VOISEY, Juliet (Green)

2023: Grn 1045; LD 760; Con 251; Lab 217
2022: LD 1588, 1531; Grn 1478; Lab 569; Con 403, 336

David Partridge (LD) and David Byatt (Lab) also stood here in May.
Vacancy is for the 2022-24 term. The Green councillor for the ward, Simon Grover, also defended his seat in the ward in 2021, meaning he has successfully defended his seat for 3 consecutive years – a fun little what if – if the resignation had been a little earlier to allow a double header this May, it is entirely possible he could have won the second seat and have been up for a 4th consecutive year next year.

Current Council: LD 48; Con 4; Grn 2; Ind 1; 1 vacancy



Thursday 15th June:

NORTH LANARKSHIRE UA; Bellshill (SNP resigned)
Candidates:
BUDD, Joseph (SNP)
CAMERON, Colin (Conservative)
COLE, John Arthur Henry (Liberal Democrat)
LANAHAN, Leo Francis (Scottish Family Party)
MARSHALL, John (Alba)
McCRORY, Anne (Labour)
McGOWAN, Rosemary (Green)
PANAITESCU, Simona (Freedom Alliance)
ROSS, Billy (British Unionist)
WILSON, Neil (UKIP)

2022: SNP 1300, 589; Lab 1162, 635; Con 632; No Desc 209; Alba 104
2017: Lab 1237, 608; SNP 1059, 742; Con 870; Ind 313; UKIP 89

Colin Cameron (Con) was councillor for the ward 2017-22 and unsuccessful candidate in 2022. Last year Joseph Budd (SNP) stood as an independent in Thorniewood, John Cole stood for the Lib Dems in Cumbernauld North, Leo Lanahan for SFP in Coatbridge North, John Marshall for Alba in Mossend & Holytown, Simona Panaitescu for Freedom Alliance in Cumbernauld South and Neil Wilson for UKIP in Motherwell South East & Ravenscraig.

Current Council: Lab 32; SNP 25; Ind 12; Con 5; Grn 1; British Unionist 1; 1 vacancy


PLYMOUTH UA; Efford & Lipson (Lab died)
Candidates:
BUSHELL, Pat (Green)
INGRAM, Darryl C (Heritage)
JONES, Will (Conservative)
McNAMARA, Paul Charles (Labour)
PRENTICE, Neil Lewis (TUSC)
PRIMMER, Alexander Marcus (Liberal Democrat)
SINGH, Chaz (Independent)

2023: Lab 1701; Con 623; Grn 338; LD 155; TUSC 69
2022: Lab 1770; Con 740; Grn 211; LD 135; TUSC 65
2021: Lab 1714; Con 1189; Grn 239; LD 102; TUSC 45
2019: Lab 1714; UKIP 612; Con 583; LD 243
2018: Lab 1940; Con 997; Grn 158; LD 97; TUSC 40
2016: Lab 1757; Con 561; Plym Ind 336; TUSC 130; LD 109
2015: Lab 2429; Con 1499; UKIP 1175; Grn 439; LD 234; Ind 80; TUSC 43
2014: Lab 1291; UKIP 1061; Con 549; Grn 287; TUSC 72
2012: lab 1823; UKIP 519; Con 455
2011: Lab 1785; Con 832; UKIP 362; LD 189; Grn 161
2010: Lab 1950, 1903; Con 1387, 1219; LD 1201, 1072; UKIP 641; Ind 357, 110; Grn 333
2008: Lab 1366; Con 1055; LD 387; Grn 265
2007: Lab 1346; Con 994; LD 568; Grn 263
2006: Lab 1149; Con 885; LD 715; Grn 284
2004: Lab 1649; LD 843; Con 802;
2003: Lab 1784, 1766, 1752; LD 634, 619, 607; Con 613, 583, 554

Vancancy is for the 2021-24 term. The Conservative, Green and Lib Dem candidates all stood here in May, with the Green having also stood in 2021 and 2022, and the LD in every election since 2018
Darryl Ingram stood for Heritage in Plymstock Dunstone in May, when Paul McNamara lost Drake ward to an independent for Labour. Chaz Singh was the incumbent councillor for Drake, first elected for Labour in 2011, but instead stood in Ham this May as an independent.

Current Council: Lab 31; Con 17; Grn 2; Free Ind 2; Ind Grp 2; Ind 2; 1 vacancy



SOUTH DERBYSHIRE DC; Hilton (countermanded election due to death of Con candidate, 3 x Con defence)
Candidates:
ANDREW, Grahame Warwick (Liberal Democrat)
ATHERTON, Martin Peter (Labour)
DAVIES, Jayne Elizabeth (Liberal Democrat)
FAWCETT, Rosa (Conservative)
MEGHANI, Sundip (Conservative)
PEACOCK, Angela Mary (Labour)
PEACOCK, David Henry (Labour)
SCHEEL, Tilo Albert Fritz Paul (Liberal Democrat)
SMITH, Peter Henry* (Conservative)

* Incumbent
Rosa Fawcett replacing the deceased Gillian Lemmon is the only change from original nominations.

May 21 by(2): Con 1364, 1097; LD 467; Lab 457, 428; RefUK 105
2019: Con 1186, 1078, 942; Lab 604, 536, 522; UKIP 384
2015: Con 2791, 2570, 2539; Lab 1219, 1127, 885; UKIP 848, 569, 455
2011: Con 1589, 1526, 1505; Lab 856, 659, 630

David Peacock has stood for Labour here in every election since 2015, whilst Grahame Andrew contested the 2021 by-election for the Lib Dems.

Current Council: Lab 23; Con 9; Ind 1; 3 vacancies



SUNDERLAND MBC; Hendon (countermanded due to death of Conservative candidate, Lab defence)
Candidates:
DONKIN, Steven Boyd (Liberal Democrat)
IZAKS, Helmut (Green)
JONES, Ian Robert (Reform UK)
SCANLAN, Lynda Rontree (Labour)*
YOUNG, Georgina Debra (Conservative)

Again the change of Conservative candidate is only change from original nominations.

2022: Lab 1087; LD 909; Con 281; Grn 104
2021: LD 1029; Lab 849; Con 377; Grn 110; UKIP 75
2019: Lab 817; UKIP 581; Con 280; Ind 204; Grn 189; LD 134
2018: Lab 1029; Con 421; NE Party 342; Grn 239; LD 134
2016: Lab 1972; UKIP 819; Con 556; Grn 272; TUSC 71
2014: Lab 1162; UKIP 638; Con 289; Grn 158; TUSC 70
2012: Lab 1518; Con 360; UKIP 244; Grn 159
2011: Lab 1781; Con 535; Grn 301
2010: Lab 1976; Con 994; LD 779
2008: Lab 874; Ind 557; Con 517; BNP 234; LD 219
2007: Lab 1045; Ind 453; Con 442; BNP 362; Respect 129
2006: Lab 1062; BNP 534; Con 528; LD 361; OMRLP 48
2004: Lab 1142, 1123, 1015; Con 647, 627, 507; LD 578, 456; BNP 504; Lib 429

Helmut Izaks has contested the last two elections here for the Greens.

Current Council: Lab 45; LD 15; Con 13; RefUK 1; 1 vacancy


SURREY HEATH DC; Frimley Green (countermanded due to death of Conservative candidate; 2 x LD and 1 x Con (by-election gain) defence).
Candidates:
BLACK, Stuart Robert (Conservative)*
FARD, Attieh (Conservative)
MYLVAGANAM, Sashi (Liberal Democrat)*
OLMO, Jacques (Liberal Democrat)
THOMSON, Howard Arthur (Conservative)
WHITCROFT, Helen Laura (Liberal Democrat)

Only change in nominations is replacement of Conservative candidate.

Oct 21by: Con 896; LD 877; Lab 76
2019: LD 1019, 1012, 889; Con 601, 568, 519; UKIP 269; Pirate 190

For the Conservatives, Stuart Black was the by-election winner and Attieh Fard (who is the replacement candidate) was their 3rd candidate in 2019. For the Lib Dems, Sashi Mylvaganam was the councillor elected in 3rd place last time and Jacques Olmo was their by-election candidate.

Current council: LD 21; Con 6; Ind 3; Lab 2; 3 vacancies



WEST DEVON DC; Burrator (Countermanded due to death of Green candidate; 1 x LD, 1 X Con defence)
Candidates:
CHURCHLEY, John Edward (Labour)
DAVIES, Felix (Conservative)
MILLER, Dave (Green)
MOYSE, Diana Elizabeth (Conservative)*
NORTH, Sam (Green)
VINEY, Nick (Liberal Democrat)
WEST, Christopher Paul (Liberal Democrat)

In addition to the replacement Green candidate (Miller), there is an additional Labour and Lib Dem (Viney) candidate compared to the original nominations.

2019: 1 x LD, 1 x Con unopp
2015: Ind 944, 776; Con 904; Grn 621

Current Council: Con 11; Ind 10; Grn 4; LD 2; Lab 1; 3 vacancies

[mattbewilson]

David Partridge stood in Batchwood a few times in 2012 when we had the by election. I can't think this is a serious run at it unless they're running low on candidates

Edit. After checking he did indeed stand in Batchwood in 2011 and the by election in 2012

[iang]

Did I read the Plymouth entry correctly that Chaz Singh (Ind) was a Labour candidate in Ham as recently as this May? If that is the case, what's happened since?

[greatkingrat]

May 23, 2023 12:36:18 GMT iang said:

Did I read the Plymouth entry correctly that Chaz Singh (Ind) was a Labour candidate in Ham as recently as this May? If that is the case, what's happened since?

No, he was elected as Labour in May 2019. He then left Labour in Sep 2019 saying "My decision is based on the fact that I believe my continued membership is no longer compatible with my faith". He stood as an Independent in May 2023.

[Tony Otim]

May 23, 2023 12:36:18 GMT iang said:

Did I read the Plymouth entry correctly that Chaz Singh (Ind) was a Labour candidate in Ham as recently as this May? If that is the case, what's happened since?

I've edited the original post to make it a bit clearer. There was a lot to cover this week 😉

[mattbewilson]

My mum has reminded me that David Partridge actually left the Lib Dems and had joined Labour. I do vaguely remember him endorsing Kerry Pollard as an 'ex-lib dem'

[Pete Whitehead]

May 25, 2023 18:58:49 GMT mattbewilson said:

My mum has reminded me that David Partridge actually left the Lib Dems and had joined Labour. I do vaguely remember him endorsing Kerry Pollard as an 'ex-lib dem'

So he joined Labour when they won the parliamentary seat and were in the ascendent in local elections in St Albans and is now back with the Lib Dems now they have the parliamentary seat and are dominant locally. I think we know the name of the party his allegiance is to..

[phil156]

They count at St Alban's straight after the vote on Tuesday night

[batman]

May 26, 2023 7:42:54 GMT Pete Whitehead said:

May 25, 2023 18:58:49 GMT mattbewilson said:

My mum has reminded me that David Partridge actually left the Lib Dems and had joined Labour. I do vaguely remember him endorsing Kerry Pollard as an 'ex-lib dem'

So he joined Labour when they won the parliamentary seat and were in the ascendent in local elections in St Albans and is now back with the Lib Dems now they have the parliamentary seat and are dominant locally. I think we know the name of the party his allegiance is to..

I think I love that

[batman]

I see we have a David Peacock & a David Partridge standing this week, a little disappointed there isn't a David Ptarmigan too

[Pete Whitehead]

Jun 12, 2023 21:09:51 GMT batman said:

I see we have a David Peacock & a David Partridge standing this week, a little disappointed there isn't a David Ptarmigan too

If David Partridge fails to get elected here he could move next door to Welwyn and stand in Peartree

[John Chanin]

I suppose someone ought to post Andrew's write up of today's by-election.  Does anyone know by the way why it's on a Tuesday?

medium.com/britainelects/previewing-the-st-peters-st-albans-by-election-of-tuesday-13th-june-2023-61dcd7d1556f

[mattbewilson]

Jun 13, 2023 16:45:02 GMT John Chanin said:

I suppose someone ought to post Andrew's write up of today's by-election.  Does anyone know by the way why it's on a Tuesday?

medium.com/britainelects/previewing-the-st-peters-st-albans-by-election-of-tuesday-13th-june-2023-61dcd7d1556f

you can see the road I grew up on on that map

[andrewteale]

ST ALBANS, St Peters - Grn gain from LD
Grn 628 LD 537 C 156 Lab 84

[yellowperil]

As nobody seems to have bothered to post the percentages, I make that Green 44.7, LD 38.2, Con 11.1 and Lab 6.0.

Disappointing in some ways (not least because after a lot of agonising I had plumped for the St Albans Lib Dem machine being able to hold on) but not unexpected- I had to admit to myself that had I been a voter there I might well have opted to vote Green in the peculiar circumstances of this particular by-election.

[mattbewilson]

Jun 14, 2023 7:02:35 GMT yellowperil said:

As nobody seems to have bothered to post the percentages, I make that Green 44.7, LD 38.2, Con 11.1 and Lab 6.0.

Disappointing in some ways (not least because after a lot of agonising I had plumped for the St Albans Lib Dem machine being able to hold on) but not unexpected- I had to admit to myself that had I been a voter there I might well have opted to vote Green in the peculiar circumstances of this particular by-election.

it was a hard one to predict. Lib Dems are a beast at electioneering. Since 2016 they've just dominated the district.

The greens really have underperformed due to poor candidate selection quite often. They've got their act together though. The big question is can the Greens beat incumbent Lib Dems next year. They really need to. Then they need to start looking where next and even maybe looking at the county council.

I understand that the council has made unpopular decisions like cutting parking time limits for badge holders but increasing the cost of them. Be interesting to see what happens in Clarence, St Peters, Harpenden West and London Colney next year

[The Bishop]

Another indicator that Greens are good at getting Labour supporters to vote for them, *if* it actually looks like they can win.

[mattbewilson]

St Peters is a hard ward to know who lives there and how they vote. It's got quite a high turnover in comparison to other wards on the city. As Andrew mentioned in his review. Last 20 years has seen parties of every colour win.

I suspect had there not been a by election in 2011 Grover would never have been elected. It probably would have been a Labour Tory marginal in 2012 and possibly 3 way in 2014 but it would have reverted back to the Lib Dems by 2016

[matureleft]

Hilton Ward in South Derbyshire is normally very safely Conservative, but often on a straight contest with Labour. The Lib Dems are a rare species in the district and paper candidates at the General Election. They made a stronger show than normal in the elections in May, with no reward. They are repeating their full slate in the election countermanded from May after the death of a Tory candidate during the count.

They are claiming (and the count had progressed quite a way) that they were competitive then. Their candidates are local and they are playing the useful card that the result will make no difference to council control and simply offers a way to get better councillors, as they claim. You’d expect a mild Tory sympathy vote from the circumstances of the contest. Labour has been out a bit and has a local slate (at least of the Peacocks).

southderbyshirelibdems.org.uk/en/article/2023/1442289/focus-re-run-of-hilton-election-june-2023

The ward is almost certain to be excluded from South Derbyshire constituency in the boundary review.

[Pete Whitehead]

Jun 14, 2023 9:09:36 GMT mattbewilson said:

Jun 14, 2023 7:02:35 GMT yellowperil said:

As nobody seems to have bothered to post the percentages, I make that Green 44.7, LD 38.2, Con 11.1 and Lab 6.0.

Disappointing in some ways (not least because after a lot of agonising I had plumped for the St Albans Lib Dem machine being able to hold on) but not unexpected- I had to admit to myself that had I been a voter there I might well have opted to vote Green in the peculiar circumstances of this particular by-election.

it was a hard one to predict. Lib Dems are a beast at electioneering. Since 2016 they've just dominated the district.

The greens really have underperformed due to poor candidate selection quite often. They've got their act together though. The big question is can the Greens beat incumbent Lib Dems next year. They really need to. Then they need to start looking where next and even maybe looking at the county council.

I understand that the council has made unpopular decisions like cutting parking time limits for badge holders but increasing the cost of them. Be interesting to see what happens in Clarence, St Peters, Harpenden West and London Colney next year

Of course they would have carried St Albans Central in May. As that is Chris White's seat it would be frankly hilarious if they gained that in 2025 (especially given how they have been allowed to build up support in the area)