Liberal Democrats gain council seat from Conservatives with huge swing
A bumper set of eight council by-elections this week: four Conservative seats, three Labour ones and one former independent seat.
Abbey North, Daventry
Alan Knape stood for the Liberal Democrats, getting a good increase in the vote, taking the party up into second:
Conservative GAIN Abbey North (Daventry) from Labour with 41% (+14) of votes.
LDM were 2nd on 31% (+10) & LAB 3rd on 29% (-11).
No IND (-7) or UKIP (-5) as previous. pic.twitter.com/tN6DbKPnGb
— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) October 24, 2019
Heavitree and Whipton Barton, Devon
The Lib Dem candidate was Rowena Squires, securing a promising increase in the Liberal Democrat vote:
Labour HOLD Heavitree & Whipton Barton with 32% (-19) of votes.
CON were 2nd on 31% (-1), LDM 3rd on 18% (+11), GRN 4th on 17% (+11) & For Britian 5th on 2% (+2).
No UKIP (-5) as previous. pic.twitter.com/KRvbtOOUIh
— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) October 24, 2019
Bagillt West, Flintshire
No Liberal Democrat candidate this time, although there wasn’t the previous two times either.
Labour HOLD Bagillt West (Flintshire) with 64% of votes.
IND was 2nd on 36%
No changes as Labour was previously elected unopposed. pic.twitter.com/eMW94TXIoo
— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) October 24, 2019
Llandrindod North, Powys council
Jake Berriman was the Liberal Democrat candidate, a welcome change from last time where the party didn’t stand in this ward. And he did more than just stand, he won the seat too::
Llandrindod North (Powys) result:
LDEM: 47.2% (+47.2)
CON: 34.2% (-19.6)
LAB: 18.6% (-1.2)Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
No Green (-26.5) as prev.
— Britain Elects (@BritainElects) October 24, 2019
Newtown South, Powys council
Kelly Healy was the Lib Dem this time round, again a welcome change as last time the party didn’t contest this ward. Nor did contesting the seat result in a tiny vote share – illustrating how often not standing a candidate means many Lib Dem votes are left on the table.
Conservative HOLD Newtown South (Powys) with 44% (-11) of votes.
LDM were 2nd on 36% (+36) and PLC ,3rd on 21% (-9).
No IND (-16) as previous. pic.twitter.com/TuVQplmGK9
— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) October 24, 2019
Coupe Green and Gregson Lane, South Ribble
Stephanie Portersmith’s candidate for the Liberal Democrats means the party contested the seat after two previous no-shows.
Conservative HOLD Coupe Green & Gregson Lane (South Ribble) with 49% (-1) of votes.
IND was 2nd on 39% (+39) & LDM 3rd on 12% (+12).
No LAB (-32) or UKIP (-18) as previous. pic.twitter.com/iDVfhbxpB1
— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) October 24, 2019
Torksey, West Lindsey
Noel Mullally was the Liberal Democrat candidate.
Conservative HOLD Torksey (West Lindsey) with 36% (-23) of votes.
LDM were 2nd on 33% (-9), BXP 3rd on 28% (+28) & LAB 4th on 3% (+3). pic.twitter.com/HkEVcVR5Gz
— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) October 24, 2019
Melksham Without South, Wiltshire
Vanessa Fiorelli stood for the Liberal Democrats and scored a very impressive result:
Conservative HOLD Melksham Without South (Wiltshire) with 60% (+5) of votes.
LDM were 2nd on 40% (+21).
No UKIP (-14) or IND (-13) as previous. pic.twitter.com/7ZvCOI7VK3
— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK) October 24, 2019
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.
I note that the Tory vote is down and ours is up and Labour down. What are the figures for turn out of voters? Low turn out can give a false impression. We MUST have vote increase on large turnouts.