Local Council by-elections 13th July 2023

[stodge]

48 hours to go in Newham and election fever is almost nowhere.

We've had the Reform Party leaflet from the candidate who lives only three or four streets from me. In truth, much of the local stuff reads very well and it is the most policy coherent (at local level) of the election literature. I'd like to have seen him out and about - he finished last in 2022 but I suspect may do a little better.

The LD leaflet was a questionnaire, the Conservative leaflet was all about CCTV and the Labour leaflet was a self-congratulatory rant.

Labour will, as I've said, win big on a small turnout in Wall End.

Boleyn could be very different - at the last by election in November 2018 (an eternity ago) Labour won 75% of the vote on a 23.5% turnout. I think this time the former will be much lower and the latter a notch higher.

[casualobserver]

Jun 22, 2023 16:18:41 GMT timrollpickering said:

CITY OF LONDON; Castle Baynard, Alderman (Independent retirement)

Candidates:

ARTESI, Desiree Allison Ann (Independent)
BRIDGELAND, Sally (Independent)
GOODCHILD, Edward David John (Independent)
GREKOS, Martha (Independent)
SALUJA, Sushil Kumar (Independent)
SHAH, Waheeda Akhtar (Independent)
WONG, Wincie (Independent)

2023 (council) by: Ind 93, Edward Goodchild 47, 32, 21
2022 (council): Ind Martha Grekos 271, Castle Baynard Independents Party 237, 224, 218, 215, 211, 206, 205, 177
2018 (council) by: Lab 77, Ind 59, 37, 36, 28, 23, 12, 5
2017 (council): Ind 225, 225, 213, 213, 208, 200, 195, 187, 119
2017 (Alderman): Ind (incumbent) unopposed
2014 (council) by: Ind 161, 40
2013 (council): Ind 225, 213, 209, 208, 206, 197, 193, 190, Lab 50, Ind [City Reform Group] 39
2011 (Alderman): Ind (incumbent) unopposed

Diamond Geezer's guide to the ward

Martha Grekos was elected as a councillor at the top of the poll in 2022 as the only challenger to the Castle Baynard Independents Party slate. She stood down earlier this year citing a "toxic" environment with "a lot of harassment, bullying and intimidation" towards her with the unsuccessful CBIP candidate winning the by-election (albeit without the party label; these things work differently in the City). Edward Goodchild stood in the by-election and was runner up with 47 votes; he had previous stood for Alderman in Wallbrook in 2022. Sushil Saluja has been nominated by one of the sitting councillors elected for the Castle Baynard Independents Party and apparently has the backing of outgoing Alderman Ian Luder.

For the first time, one of the City of London’s mysterious election Courts of Wardmote has been broadcast, held today prior to tomorrow’s election in Castle Baynard Ward:

m.youtube.com/live/u91gnzGm_M8?feature=share&cbrd=1

If you watch any of it at all, it’s worth watching the beginning and very end of the you tube recording, where you will see the Ward Beadle opening and closing the meeting shouting the time immemorial initial words: “OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ ……..”

Sushil Saluja, apparently, is the spouse of the Labour MP Seema Malhotra (Feltham & Heston), at least according to her Wikipedia entry.

[timmullen1]

Jul 12, 2023 21:20:17 GMT casualobserver said:

Jun 22, 2023 16:18:41 GMT timrollpickering said:

CITY OF LONDON; Castle Baynard, Alderman (Independent retirement)

Candidates:

ARTESI, Desiree Allison Ann (Independent)
BRIDGELAND, Sally (Independent)
GOODCHILD, Edward David John (Independent)
GREKOS, Martha (Independent)
SALUJA, Sushil Kumar (Independent)
SHAH, Waheeda Akhtar (Independent)
WONG, Wincie (Independent)

2023 (council) by: Ind 93, Edward Goodchild 47, 32, 21
2022 (council): Ind Martha Grekos 271, Castle Baynard Independents Party 237, 224, 218, 215, 211, 206, 205, 177
2018 (council) by: Lab 77, Ind 59, 37, 36, 28, 23, 12, 5
2017 (council): Ind 225, 225, 213, 213, 208, 200, 195, 187, 119
2017 (Alderman): Ind (incumbent) unopposed
2014 (council) by: Ind 161, 40
2013 (council): Ind 225, 213, 209, 208, 206, 197, 193, 190, Lab 50, Ind [City Reform Group] 39
2011 (Alderman): Ind (incumbent) unopposed

Diamond Geezer's guide to the ward

Martha Grekos was elected as a councillor at the top of the poll in 2022 as the only challenger to the Castle Baynard Independents Party slate. She stood down earlier this year citing a "toxic" environment with "a lot of harassment, bullying and intimidation" towards her with the unsuccessful CBIP candidate winning the by-election (albeit without the party label; these things work differently in the City). Edward Goodchild stood in the by-election and was runner up with 47 votes; he had previous stood for Alderman in Wallbrook in 2022. Sushil Saluja has been nominated by one of the sitting councillors elected for the Castle Baynard Independents Party and apparently has the backing of outgoing Alderman Ian Luder.

For the first time, one of the City of London’s mysterious election Courts of Wardmote has been broadcast, held today prior to tomorrow’s election in Castle Baynard Ward:

m.youtube.com/live/u91gnzGm_M8?feature=share&cbrd=1

If you watch any of it at all, it’s worth watching the beginning and very end of the you tube recording, where you will see the Ward Beadle opening and closing the meeting shouting the time immemorial initial words: “OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ ……..”

Sushil Saluja, apparently, is the spouse of the Labour MP Seema Malhotra (Feltham & Heston), at least according to her Wikipedia entry.

Desiree (we’ve got a Desiree on Stoke Council): a bit scary
Edward: charming throwback
Sally: irritated me
Waheeda: a bit out of her depth
Martha: rather weighed down by the chip on her shoulder
ultimately I was torn between
Sushil: competent if slightly bland, and
Wincie who had a very sultry voice and the ability to be coherent without notes.

[J.G.Harston]

Jul 12, 2023 23:14:49 GMT timmullen1 said:

Jul 12, 2023 21:20:17 GMT casualobserver said:

For the first time, one of the City of London’s mysterious election Courts of Wardmote has been broadcast, held today prior to tomorrow’s election in Castle Baynard Ward:

m.youtube.com/live/u91gnzGm_M8?feature=share&cbrd=1

If you watch any of it at all, it’s worth watching the beginning and very end of the you tube recording, where you will see the Ward Beadle opening and closing the meeting shouting the time immemorial initial words: “OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ ……..”

Sushil Saluja, apparently, is the spouse of the Labour MP Seema Malhotra (Feltham & Heston), at least according to her Wikipedia entry.

Desiree (we’ve got a Desiree on Stoke Council): a bit scary
Edward: charming throwback
Sally: irritated me
Waheeda: a bit out of her depth
Martha: rather weighed down by the chip on her shoulder
ultimately I was torn between
Sushil: competent if slightly bland, and
Wincie who had a very sultry voice and the ability to be coherent without notes.

I thought I vaguely knew Wincie, and looked through my LinkedIn contacts, thought I recognised her profile, but then realised I knew her from seeing her on a cookery programme on the TV.

[phil156]

NEWHAM & ROTHERHAM count tonight. NORFOLK 1000 tomorrow

[jamesdoyle]

And lo, the tablets were brought down from Mount Teale:

medium.com/britainelects/previewing-the-five-local-by-elections-of-13th-july-2023-af018b7e857d

[johnloony]

I recognised some of the names of the candidates in West Depwade (Norfolk) from following the local election results before, but I’ve only just remembered that this is the division where my sister lives.

P.S. I’ve just texted to remind them (“Have you voted yet?”) and my brother-in-law texted back to say that they haven’t seen any literature or polling cards at all. In other words, they didn’t even know the by-election was happening.

My sister suffers from peculiar mental hallucinations which (for example) meant that she didn’t vote in the 2019 general election because she thought it was more important to travel to Scotland and back on the day in order to buy a horse.

[timmullen1]

Jul 13, 2023 14:55:41 GMT johnloony said:

I recognised some of the names of the candidates in West Depwade (Norfolk) from following the local election results before, but I’ve only just remembered that this is the division where my sister lives.

P.S. I’ve just texted to remind them (“Have you voted yet?”) and my brother-in-law texted back to say that they haven’t seen any literature or polling cards at all. In other words, they didn’t even know the by-election was happening.

My sister suffers from peculiar mental hallucinations which (for example) meant that she didn’t vote in the 2019 general election because she thought it was more important to travel to Scotland and back on the day in order to buy a horse.

If that horse wins the Derby or Grand National she may have a point!

[timrollpickering]

Jul 13, 2023 13:43:08 GMT jamesdoyle said:

And lo, the tablets were brought down from Mount Teale:

medium.com/britainelects/previewing-the-five-local-by-elections-of-13th-july-2023-af018b7e857d

Lawrencia Durojaiye has been misgendered. She is a she.

[stodge]

I live barely 50 yards from one of the polling stations in Wall End.

The Conservatives are out in force - the candidate (or his agent) is parked outside the house next door. They seem to have armfuls of leaflets but there's been no sign of them before today. I really don't understand their election organisation.

Labour are nonetheless not to be outdone - I saw Sir Stephen Timms out delivering Good Morning leaflets at 7.30am and there are a goodly number of Labour people outside the polling station.

I shall have to exercise my prerogative shortly - after which I'll go out and vote.

[finsobruce]

Jul 13, 2023 18:31:11 GMT stodge said:

I live barely 50 yards from one of the polling stations in Wall End.

The Conservatives are out in force - the candidate (or his agent) is parked outside the house next door. They seem to have armfuls of leaflets but there's been no sign of them before today. I really don't understand their election organisation.

Labour are nonetheless not to be outdone - I saw Sir Stephen Timms out delivering Good Morning leaflets at 7.30am and there are a goodly number of Labour people outside the polling station.

I shall have to exercise my prerogative shortly - after which I'll go out and vote.

I think you need to change your strapline to "Our reporter on the spot"

[andrewteale]

Jul 13, 2023 16:50:15 GMT timrollpickering said:

Jul 13, 2023 13:43:08 GMT jamesdoyle said:

And lo, the tablets were brought down from Mount Teale:

medium.com/britainelects/previewing-the-five-local-by-elections-of-13th-july-2023-af018b7e857d

Lawrencia Durojaiye has been misgendered. She is a she.

Apologies, that should be fixed now.

[Devil Wincarnate]

Jul 13, 2023 18:34:52 GMT finsobruce said:

Jul 13, 2023 18:31:11 GMT stodge said:

I live barely 50 yards from one of the polling stations in Wall End.

The Conservatives are out in force - the candidate (or his agent) is parked outside the house next door. They seem to have armfuls of leaflets but there's been no sign of them before today. I really don't understand their election organisation.

Labour are nonetheless not to be outdone - I saw Sir Stephen Timms out delivering Good Morning leaflets at 7.30am and there are a goodly number of Labour people outside the polling station.

I shall have to exercise my prerogative shortly - after which I'll go out and vote.

I think you need to change your strapline to "Our reporter on the spot"

Memories of the tipsters at greyhound races with titles like "Local Expert" and "Man in the Know" .

[wallington]

A lot of Labour Councillors and an MP out in Boleyn knocking up tonight, on paper I wouldn't have thought it would need a large knocking up operation. Hopefuly for them it's being targeted wisely. Does remind me somewhat of Fairfield on election evening last year.

[stodge]

Much entertainment here in the last hour as the Conservatives have drawn the wrath of the Presiding Officer and the Police have got involved.

When I went over to vote, the Conservatives were on all the approaches to the Pollign Station and were accosting voters as they approached - often just a single activist but across from the Polling Station, a couple of larger groups. As I went in to vote I could see the Presiding Officer and one of her assistants looking at what has happening - Labour had a single very large man with a red rosette who simply said "Good Evening" to the voters.

After I'd voted and was on my way back home, a Met van pulls up so I decide to enjoy the show - within a few minutes, there's a lively discussion between the Police, the Presiding Officer, the Conservative candidate and his Agent but the outcome was never in doubt. The Agent pulled all the activists off the street corners and left just one, standing next to the Labour man, outside the Polling Station.

Tranquillity swiftly returned but it was an entertaioning diversion and I hope someone from CCHQ informs East Ham Conservatives of the rules about intimidating voters.

[batman]

Jul 13, 2023 16:50:15 GMT timrollpickering said:

Jul 13, 2023 13:43:08 GMT jamesdoyle said:

And lo, the tablets were brought down from Mount Teale:

medium.com/britainelects/previewing-the-five-local-by-elections-of-13th-july-2023-af018b7e857d

Lawrencia Durojaiye has been misgendered. She is a she.

thought so, I thought it was weird for a bloke to be called Lawrencia. Not that it's a common name for a woman either.

[wallington]

Jul 13, 2023 20:10:02 GMT stodge said:

Much entertainment here in the last hour as the Conservatives have drawn the wrath of the Presiding Officer and the Police have got involved.

When I went over to vote, the Conservatives were on all the approaches to the Pollign Station and were accosting voters as they approached - often just a single activist but across from the Polling Station, a couple of larger groups. As I went in to vote I could see the Presiding Officer and one of her assistants looking at what has happening - Labour had a single very large man with a red rosette who simply said "Good Evening" to the voters.

After I'd voted and was on my way back home, a Met van pulls up so I decide to enjoy the show - within a few minutes, there's a lively discussion between the Police, the Presiding Officer, the Conservative candidate and his Agent but the outcome was never in doubt. The Agent pulled all the activists off the street corners and left just one, standing next to the Labour man, outside the Polling Station.

Tranquillity swiftly returned but it was an entertaioning diversion and I hope someone from CCHQ informs East Ham Conservatives of the rules about intimidating voters.

and on that, I salute all election agents over the country, no matter the party, bloody thankless job for mostly volunteers.

[casualobserver]

Castle Baynard Aldermanic Election result:

Martha Grekos: 173 votes (ELECTED)
Sushil Saluja: 149 votes
Sally Bridgeland: 27 votes
Edward Goodchild: 18 votes
Desiree Artesi: 8 votes
Wincie Wong: 5 votes
Waheeda Shah: 0 votes


Is this the first time in a Principal Council election that a candidate has scored a duck?

Edit: just remembered the Monster Raving Loony multiple candidate by-election when I think there was a ‘nil points’ result too.

[andrewteale]

Jul 13, 2023 21:10:07 GMT casualobserver said:

Castle Baynard Aldermanic Election result:

Martha Grekos: 173 votes (ELECTED)
Sushil Saluja: 149 votes
Sally Bridgeland: 27 votes
Edward Goodchild: 18 votes
Desiree Artesi: 8 votes
Wincie Wong: 5 votes
Waheeda Shah: 0 votes


Is this the first time in a Principal Council election that a candidate has scored a duck?

Edit: just remembered the Monster Raving Loony multiple candidate by-election when I think there was a ‘nil points’ result too.

Not so, they all scored at least one vote.

The last time a candidate scored zero votes in the City was in the Billingsgate aldermanic election in January 2019: Jonathan Bergdahl of the SDP was the one to achieve that.

[Deleted]

Wasn't there a TUSC candidate somewhere in Essex several years ago as well?