Council by-elections

There were four council by-elections on Thursday. Very little progress for UKIP in Hartlepool and Walsall where they might have expected to do well, and a solid result for the LDs in West Berkshire where they retain strong local organisation:

Manor House Ward, Hartlepool UA. Lab hold. Lab 639 (56.4%, +7), UKIP 226 (19.9%, +4.2), Putting Hartlepool First 194 (17.1%, +0.5), Con 74 (6.5%, +0.4). Swing of 1.4% from UKIP to Lab since 2012.

Shebbear & Langtry Ward, Torridge DC. Con hold. Con 240 (47.2%, -15.9), UKIP 217 (42.7%, +42.7), Green 41 (8.1%, +8.1), Ind 10 (2%, +2). Swing of 29.3% from Con to UKIP since 2011.

Aldridge Central & South Ward, Walsall MBC. Con hold. Con 1254 (49.7%, -0.2), UKIP 615 (24.4%, +8.3), Lab 470 (18.6%, -4.3), LD 114 (4.5%, -6.6), Eng Dem 72 (2.9%, +2.9). Swing of 4.3% from Con to UKIP since 2012.

Hungerford Ward, West Berkshire UA. Con hold. Con 810 (48.4%, -12.7), LD 751 (44.8%, +5.9), Lab 86 (5.1%, +5.1), United People 28 (1.7%, +1.7). Swing of 9.3% from Con to LD since 2011.