First Labour council by-election gain from Conservatives for over three months

Five council by-elections this week, and five Lib Dem candidates too, one up on the last time these seats wards were contested.

Tilgate, Crawley

The candidature of Angharad Old for the Lib Dems meant a welcome return to the ballot paper for the party in this ward after not standing last time.

Alexandra, Ipswich

The Liberal Democrat candidate was Henry Williams in a ward where the party won regularly until coalition and since fell as low as finishing fifth. But now, the party is back in second:

Icknield, Luton

Steve Moore ran for the Liberal Democrats in what turned out to be the first Labour gain from the Conservatives in over three months– but still a contest in which the Labour vote fell.

Sweyne Park and Grange, Rochford

Lisa Newport was the Lib Dem pick in this ward, and with the team ran up a big vote increase, turning the ward into a very promising prospect for future contests:

Three Bridges, West Sussex

David Anderson stood for the Liberal Democrats.

These by-election results round-ups cover principal authority by-elections. See my post The danger in celebrating parish and town council wins for your own party for the reasons to avoid straying too often into covering town, parish or community council by-elections.