Labour made the only gain of the byelections on 30 October, taking Workington St Johns ward on Allerdale borough council from the Conservatives.
The Liberal Democrats narrowly held off a Labour challenge to their seat in Kentish Town ward of Camden borough council, despite the sitting councillor being forced out after being discovered in Arizona. The Green Party, which had been within a few votes of winning in a late 2006 byelection, faded this time.
The Conservatives held on to Hutton South ward on Brentwood borough council despite internal strife, and to Thame North ward on South Oxfordshire district council.
There are some party switches to note. Earlier this year, Harold Moth, councillor for Fullwell ward on Redbridge borough council, left the Conservatives to sit as an Independent; now three more Conservatives have been suspended from their party for 28 days because they went against the party line on allowances to committee chairs.
Two members of Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council, both elected as Liberal Democrats, have joined the Conservatives. Tony Durnell represents Monkmoor and David Farmer represents Bagley; it is reported that both intend to be Conservative candidates for the new Shropshire unitary council next June.
Finally, on Mid Bedfordshire district council, an Independent councillor has joined the Green Party of England and Wales. He is Ken Lynch of Sandy Pinnacle ward.
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