Council by-elections

As well as Labour's victory in the Cowdenbeath Scottish Parliament by-election there were two council by-elections yesterday:

Motherwell North Ward, North Lanarkshire UA. Lab hold. First preferences: Lab 1719 (68.2%, +0.2), SNP 520 (20.6%, -4.7), Con 173 (6.9%, +2.5), UKIP 107, 4.2%, +4.2). Swing of 2.5% from SNP to Lab since 2012.

West Leigh Ward, Southend-on-Sea UA. Con hold. Con 743 (37.2%, -12.5), LD  688 (34.4%, +3.9), UKIP 418 (20.9%, +20.9), Lab  149 (7.5%, -1.7). Swing of 8.2% from Con to LD since 2012.