Good ‘Evans

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Changes of allegiance

• Bolton: Carol Swarbrick, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Smithills ward, has been suspended from party membership for 18 months and will sit as an Independent councillor.
• Boston: Brian Rush, who was elected for the UK Independence Party in Staniland ward, has left the party group to sit as an unaligned councillor during his Mayoral year.
• Copeland: Carla Arrighi, who was elected as an Independent in Harbour ward, has joined the Conservative Party.
• Tandridge: Liz Lockwood, who was elected as a Conservative in Lingfield and Crowhurst ward, has left the party to become an Independent councillor. She has joined a group made up of opposition Independent and Residents Group members.
• Thanet: Peter Evans, who was elected for the UK Independence Party in Salmestone ward, has joined the Conservative Party. As a result the UK Independence Party no longer have an overall majority.

New vacancies

• Middlesbrough: Park End and Breckfield ward, after the death of Independent councillor Peter Cox. Term ends 2019.
• Rutland: Ketton ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Diana MacDuff. Term ends 2019.
• Swale: Milton Regis ward, after the death of UK Independence Party councillor Katy coleman. Term ends 2019.

Other updates

• Clackmannanshire: A minority Scottish National Party administration has been formed.
• Conwy: Following the election of Plaid Cymru’s leader Gareth Jones as council leader, discussions on a coalition have been held; Jones has said he is on track to form a coalition with the Conservatives.

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