Local countermanded/by-elections 22nd June 2023

[Tony Otim]

This week we have the last countermanded elections from May and the first by-election stemming from May’s elections.

* Incumbent

BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET UA; Paulton (countermanded due to death of Green candidate; 2 x Lab defences)
Candidates:
ARNALL-CULLIFORD, Edward (Green)
BROSNAN, Deborah (Green)
BULLARD, Melanie Jane (Liberal Democrat)
FROST, Alex James (Conservative)
GORNALL, Belinda Mary (Liberal Democrat)
HARDMAN, Liz* (Labour)
HORSTMANN, Deirdre Mary (Conservative)
JOHNSON, Grant Christopher* (Labour)

Only change from original nominations is the new Green candidate

2019: Lab 808, 630; Ind 272; Con 177, 167; UKIP 177; LD 112, 78

Liz Hardman was first elected for the ward (on old boundaries) in 2011.

Current Council: LD 41; Ind 5; Lab 5; Con 3; Grn 3; 2 vacancies



SOUTHAMPTON UA; Coxford (countermanded following death of Con candidate; 2 x Lab, 1 x Con defence)
Candidates:
ADHIKARY, Anthony John (Reform UK)
CHAPMAN, David Howarth (Liberal Democrat)
CHENG, Vikkie (Conservative)
CLEMENTS, Joanne Steve (Green)
CLUNE, Declan (TUSC)
CROOK, Philip Edward (Reform UK)
DARKE, Ken (Liberal Democrat)
EDWARDS, John Peter (Reform UK)
FRICKER, Maggie (TUSC)
GALTON, Diana June* (Conservative)
GALTON, Peter Graham (Liberal Democrat)
HAYDOR, Ali (TUSC)
McCREANOR, Rebecca May (Labour)
MELDRUM, Ronald Nicholas (Green)
NOLAN, Paul James Patrick (Conservative)
PHILLIPS, Ash (Green)
RENYARD, Matt* (Labour)
RUDDICK, Beccy (Labour)
SURRIDGE, Ed (Independent)

So 3 Lab, 3 Con, 3 LD, 3 Grn, 3 TUSC, 3 Reform, 1 Ind – compared to the original nominations that 2 extra Grn, 2 extra TUSC and 3 new Reform in addition to the new Conservative. Out of which, Tony Adhikary (Reform) stood in Portswood in May, Vikkie Cheng (Con) and Joanne Clements (Grn) stood in Millbrook; Declan Clune (TUSC) stood in Harefield; Philip Crook (Reform) stood in Bassett; John Edwards (Reform) stood in Redbridge; Ali Haydor (TUSC) stood in Peartree; Ronald Meldrum (Grn) stood in Thornhill

This ward was unchanged in the recent boundary changes. Previous results:
2022: Lab 1429; Con 1338; LD 199; Grn 162; TUSC 41
2021: Con 1723; Lab 1090; LD 229; Grn 162; TUSC 63
2019: Lab 768; Con 739; LD 470; Soc Alt 442; Grn 194
Mar 19 by: Lab 668; Con 529; LD 450; Soc Alt 368; IntegSO 178;Ind 174; UKIP 123; Grn 53
2018: Ind 1595; Lab 958; Con 559; LD 193; Grn 101; Ind 82
2016: Ind 1317; Lab 924; UKIP 498; Con 396; LD 113; Ind 84; Grn 70
2015: Ind 2300; Lab 1330; Con 1196; UKIP 978; LD 215; Grn 209
2014: Ind 1633; UKIP 796; Lab 724; Con 500; LD 168
2012: Lab 1647; Con 667; LD 334; UKIP 295; Grn 75;
2011: Lab 2004; Con 1112; LD 702
2010: Lab 2379; LD 1826; Con 1769; Ind 279
2008: Con 1018; Lab 986; LD 918; UKIP 287
2007: Lab 1219; LD 1162; Con 784; UKIP 201; Grn 128
2006: LD 1229; Lab 1180; Con 620; Grn 273
2004: LD 1110; Lab 1018; UKIP 510; Con 478
2003: LD 1187; Lab 933; Con 361; Lib 245; BNP 197; UKIP 95
2002: LD 1328, 1272, 1185; Lab 1000, 968, 927; Con 398, 377, 352

Nolan (Con), Chapman (LD) and Fricker (TUSC) stood here last year, with Fricker also having stood in 2021. Matt Renyard was first elected in the March 19 by-election having also stood in 2018 and Diana Galton (Con)was elected in 2021 having contested both 2019 elections. Peter Galton was LD councillor for the ward 2002-2010 and stood here unsuccessfully from 2010-2014 inclusive. Ronald Meldrum stood for the Greens here in 2012. Ken Darke was LD councillor for the ward 2003-07, when he unsuccessfully attempted to defend his seat.

Current Council: Lab 35; Con 9; LD 3; Grn 1; 3 vacancies



STOCKTON ON TEES UA; Hartburn (countermanded following Reform UK candidate’s death; new expanded boundaries, but predecessor was 2 x Con)
Candidates:
COOMBS, Christopher (Labour)
ELLIOTT, Andrew Michael (Reform UK)
FRENCH, Jason John (Conservative)
HALL, Lynn Elizabeth * (Conservative)
HOBSON, Jess (Green)
INNES, Niall Bell* (Conservative)
JORDAN, Jason Walter (Green)
SINGH, Kiran (Green)
STEPHENSON, Andrew Frederick (Reform UK)
TYLER, Joanna Louise (Labour)
In addition to the replacement Reform candidate, there are also 3 additional Greens compared to original nominations. Andrew Stephenson (Reform) stood in Eaglescliffe West in May; Jess Hobson (Green) stood in Billingham North; Jason Jordan (Green) stood in Yarm and Kiran Singh (Green) stood in Eaglescliffe East.

The ward is expanded to include parts of the old Grangefield (split Lab-Con in 2019) and Parkfield & Oxbridge (2 Lab safe in 2019) and gains an extra councillor. Recent results in Hartfield were:
May 21by: Con 1999; Lab 620; RefUK 112
2019: Con 1545, 1516; Lab 407, 390; UKIP 300

Lynn Hall (Con) was first elected in 2015 and Niall Innes (Con) at the May 21 by-election. Chris Coombs (Lab) stood in the old ward in 2019 and 2015.

Current Council: Con 22; Lab 22; Thornaby Ind Ass 4; Ingleby Barwick Ind Soc 3; Ind 2; 3 vacancies



WEST DEVON DC; Tavistock North (Grn resigned)
Candidates:
GREENBURY-PULLEN, Holly (Liberal Democrat)
HUGHES, Judy (Conservative)
MANN, Ursula Forhan (Independent)
MARTIN, Annabel Judith (Green)
UDO, Uwem Eno (Labour)

2023: Ind 822, 505; LD 685; Grn 540; Con 333, 268; RefUK 95
Feb 22 by: Con 379; LD 337; Grn 163; Lab 85
2019: Ind 870, 717, 695; LD 338; Lab 326; Con 269, 263
2015: Ind 1218,782, 632; Con 1018, 859; Grn 769; Lab 529

Judy Hughes (Con) was the only candidate to stand here in May. Holly Greenbury-Pullen (LD) stood in Dartmoor.

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



WEST LANCASHIRE DC; Rural South (Countermanded due to death of OWL candidate; new ward)
Candidates:
DICKIE, Paul (Labour)
GIBSON, Julie P (Labour)
MARSH-PRITCHARD, Thomas (Our West Lancashire)
MORAN, Ian M (Labour)
NARAEN, Asheem (Conservative)
NARAEN, Sangeeta (Conservative)
RIGBY, Ian* (Our West Lancashire)
TURPIN, Paul* (Conservative)
WEBSTER, Linda Marjorie (Our West Lancashire)

This is a new ward created from the old Bickerstaffe (1) ward – won by Ian Rigby for OWL by almost 50% in 2019, and bits of Derby (3 – held by 3 OWL councillors, including the deceased OWL candidate for this ward) and Aughton & Downholland (3 – held by 2 Con and 1 Lab, including Paul Turpin (Con) elected in 2021 (Lab won in 2022 and Con in 2019))

Paul Dickie (Lab) stood in Bickerstaffe in 2019.

Current Council: Lab 26; Con 15; OWL 1; 3 vacancies



WYRE DC; Warren (Countermanded due to death of Independent candidate; 1 x Lab, 1 x Wyre Alliance elected as UKIP defence)
Candidates:
BLAIR, Maureen Elizabeth (Labour)
FITZGERALD, John Joseph (Conservative)
MEEKINS, David Patrick (Conservative)
STEPHENSON, Brian Michael (Labour)
Nominations exactly the same as previously minus the deceased independent

2019: UKIP 370; Lab 360, 352; Ind 314; Con 236, 212
2015: Lab 1178, 1120; Con 859, 726

David Meekins (Con) has stood here in the last 2 elections.

Current Council: Con 30; Lab 15; Wyre Ind Grp 3; 2 vacancies

[East Anglian Lefty]

Are Peter Galton and Diane Galton related?

[Tony Otim]

May 27, 2023 13:23:02 GMT East Anglian Lefty said:

Are Peter Galton and Diane Galton related?

I'm guessing Peter is related to Victoria Galton who has also contested Coxford for the Lib Dems, but no idea about Diana. Perhaps Sharon might know?

[Sharon]

May 27, 2023 13:51:11 GMT Tony Otim said:

May 27, 2023 13:23:02 GMT East Anglian Lefty said:

Are Peter Galton and Diane Galton related?

I'm guessing Peter is related to Victoria Galton who has also contested Coxford for the Lib Dems, but no idea about Diana. Perhaps Sharon might know?

No, Peter & Diana are not related at all.

[WJ]

What's the story in Tavistock?

[maxque]

May 27, 2023 22:14:22 GMT WJ said:

What's the story in Tavistock?

www.tavistock-today.co.uk/news/green-councillor-resigns-after-losing-home-614645

The councillor was evicted by his landlord and can't find housing he can afford in the area.

[phil156]

JACKPOT - They all counting on Thursday evening even West Devon which counted on Friday morning last week but decided to join the world and do do the same as everyone else

[Davıd Boothroyd]

Last week's West Devon byelection was in a rural ward that includes a large part of Dartmoor. This week's is a nice compact urban ward in the largest town of the district.

[carolus]

Given the result last week in West Devon, this week's will determine whether the Greens or the Lib Dems are the second largest party on the council (third largest group).

[Tony Otim]

Jun 19, 2023 20:39:53 GMT carolus said:

Given the result last week in West Devon, this week's will determine whether the Greens or the Lib Dems are the second largest party on the council (third largest group).

Unless the indy wins

[grumpyguy]

Indy? Surely not 'the Temple of Tory Doom in Tavistock'>?

[Sharon]

I'll be at the Coxford count, so will endeavour to post the result here.

[ColinJ]

Jun 20, 2023 17:15:52 GMT Sharon said:

I'll be at the Coxford count, so will endeavour to post the result here.

Best take a flask and sandwiches, Sharon, you could be in for a long count. The counters will undoubtedly find it awkward and time consuming handling such a long ballot paper.
It would be interesting to know afterwards what counting technique is used!

[The Bishop]

Only noticed recently that the delayed election in Fleetwood is down to the passing of Independent candidate Brian Crawford, former Tory mayor of Millom and Cumbria CC member for the town 2013-17. Always seemed a fairly reasonable and moderate sort and its not massively surprising he went Indy subsequently.

[mrtoad]

I'm sure andrewteale will supply all the gory details, but Coxford is historically a really flaky ward - usually Labour but swinging sharply to the Tories in a good year for them, and then Lib Dem for a while, then the preserve of the 'Swimming Pool Trots' - left wing Lab councillors who rebelled over an issue about the Oaklands Swimming Pool and were re-elected as Independents for a bit although they were also kind of TUSC. It's got a populist-right undertow a bit like Bitterne/ Thornhill on the other side of the city, but it's manifested as instability rather than (like Bitterne/ Thornhill) the Tories being competitive even in a year like 2023 in what used to be a fairly safe Lab ward.

I remember its geography quite well from being a kid in the 1970s and 1980s. Large parts of the ward were newly built then - the Lordshill council estate, which seemed really Seventies-modern to me then and had a big supermarket (Sainsburys I think) my mum would sometimes come across town to shop at, and the privately developed estates at Lordswood, with funny looking houses in among the trees (as I recall some of it is 'Radburn' design). My cousin lives in Lordswood.

There's also an older bit of the ward along Aldermoor Road. I assume that the ward called Coxford before Lordshill was developed went further south into the areas around the General Hospital and Maybush - the name for the ward has stuck despite it being probably better called Lordshill (perhaps people are avoiding an argument about whether the area is called Lordshill or Lords Hill...)

Should be three Lab seats tonight but... it's Coxford, and Coxford sometimes does weird things.

[Chris from Brum]

Gory details from Andrew Teale: medium.com/britainelects/previewing-the-six-local-elections-of-23rd-june-2023-eaee93508c52

[East Anglian Lefty]

The mention of Argleton is interesting - are there any other places listed by Googlemaps that definitely don't exist and are presumably copyright traps?

I suspect one case is the area of Cambridge around Addenbrookes, which Googlemaps refers to as Red Cross, which isn't a name I've ever heard or that seems to have any local currency, but it's possible that's an old name they've somehow latched on to rather than a total invention.

[Chris from Brum]

Jun 22, 2023 12:50:07 GMT East Anglian Lefty said:

The mention of Argleton is interesting - are there any other places listed by Googlemaps that definitely don't exist and are presumably copyright traps?

I suspect one case is the area of Cambridge around Addenbrookes, which Googlemaps refers to as Red Cross, which isn't a name I've ever heard or that seems to have any local currency, but it's possible that's an old name they've somehow latched on to rather than a total invention.

The issue of fake placenames and copyright traps is covered nicely by Map Men Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones here, and Argleton gets a mention:

[YL]

Jun 22, 2023 12:50:07 GMT East Anglian Lefty said:

The mention of Argleton is interesting - are there any other places listed by Googlemaps that definitely don't exist and are presumably copyright traps?

I suspect one case is the area of Cambridge around Addenbrookes, which Googlemaps refers to as Red Cross, which isn't a name I've ever heard or that seems to have any local currency, but it's possible that's an old name they've somehow latched on to rather than a total invention.

Red Cross is shown on old OS maps (example) at the point where Hills Road splits into Babraham Road and Worts' Causeway, which is a little to the south of where Google Maps shows it. It's not, however, on current OS mapping either at 1:50000 or 1:25000 nor is it on OpenStreetMap, other than that there's a road called Red Cross Lane nearby.

[Raddy]

Stockton on Tees (Hartburn)

140 people had voted at the polling station at 6pm.