Council by-elections

Here is a round-up of council by-elections from the last two weeks. The UKIP surge has continued with a seat gained in Norfolk and strong second places in a number of Labour wards. However, where Labour has needed good performances, in marginal Kirklees and Milton Keynes, our vote has gone up. The results from Scotland are also pleasing.

13th June

Watlington Ward, King’s Lynn & W Norfolk DC. UKIP gain from LD. UKIP 179 (45.5%, +45.5), Con 115 (29.3%, +29.3), Lab 99 (25.2%, +7.7). Swing of 8.1% from Con to UKIP since 2011.

Liversedge and Gomersal Ward, Kirklees MBC. Lab gain from Con. Lab 1517 (43.4%, +5.1), Con 1378 (39.4%, -9.6), LD 599 (17.1%, +13.4). Swing of 7.4% from Con to Lab since 2012. This is in Batley & Spen parliamentary seat, one of a belt of marginals in the Pennines, and is a council we might take control of next year.

Woolston Ward, Southampton CC. Lab hold. Lab 864 (32.5%, -22.6), UKIP 731 (27.5%, +27.5), Con 704 (26.4%, -5.4), TUSC 136 (5.1%, +0.4), LD 120 (4.5%, -3.8), Green 107 (4%, +4). Swing of 25.1% from Lab to UKIP since 2012.

20th June

Boltons Ward, Allerdale DC. Ind hold. Ind 175 (35.7%, -31.5), Con 157 (32%, -1.8), Ind 103 (21%, +21), Green 55 (11.2%, +11.2). No swing calculable.

Liberton and Gilmerton Ward, Edinburgh CC. Lab gain from SNP. First preference votes: Lab 2892 (39.5%, -1.4), SNP 2249 (30.7%, -0.9), Con 823 (11.2%, -1.1), LD 605 (8.3%, +0.7), Green 412 (5.6%, +0.4), UKIP 235 (3.2%, +3.2), Ind 64 (0.9%, +0.9), Pirate 47 (0.6%, +0.6). Swing of 0.3% from Lab to SNP since 2012. Congratulations to my former NOLS colleague Keith Robson on becoming a councillor!

Glenrothes North, Leslie and Markinch Ward, Fife UA. Lab hold. First preference votes: Lab 1896 (45.8%, +4.9), SNP 1711 (41.3%, -6.2), Con 272 (6.6%, +0.8), UKIP 176 (4.3%, +4.3), LD 83 (2%, +0.5). Swing of 5.6% from SNP to Lab since 2012.

Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Ward, Milton Keynes UA. Lab hold. Lab 1356 (39.9%, +3.1), UKIP 855 (25.2%, +14.3), Con 779 (22.9%, -12.6), Green 277 (8.2%, -4), LD 128 (3.8%, -0.9). Swing of 5.5% from Lab to UKIP since 2012. Tories drop to 3rd place in a ward they held until 2012. This is the Labour parliamentary target seat of Milton Keynes South.

Weaste and Seedley Ward, Salford MBC. Lab hold. Lab 785 (44.4%, -10.3), UKIP 401 (22.7%, +22.7), Con 260 (14.7%, +2.1), Green 80 (4.5%, +4.5), BNP 74 (4.2%, -4.5), Ind 64 (3.6%, +3.6), LD 58 (3.3%, -15.4), TUSC 30 (1.7%, +1.7), Ind 15 (0.8%, +0.8). Swing of 16.5% from Lab to UKIP since 2012.