Pallion around with Martin

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Cornwall: The byelection in Falmouth Smithick division on 1 February was won by Jayne Kirkham. Labour hold.
• Sunderland: The byelection in Pallion ward on 1 February was won by Martin Haswell. Liberal Democrat gain from Labour.

Changes of allegiance

• Brent: John Duffy, who was elected for the Labour Party in Kilburn ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Newcastle-under-Lyme: David Harper, who was elected for the UK Independence Party in Chesterton ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Malvern Hills: Elaine Newman, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Powick ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor. She will be part of the Democratic Group which includes Independents and Green Party councillors.
• Oadby and Wigston: Anne Bond, who was elected for the Conservatives in Oadby St Peters ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• St Edmundsbury: Anthony Williams, who was elected for the UK Independence Party in Haverhill North ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Slough: Diana Coad, who was originally elected as a Conservative in Langley St Mary’s ward but then joined the UK Independence Party, has now left UKIP to sit as an Independent councillor. Meanwhile deposed former council leader Sohail Munawar (Elliman ward), who has been suspended from Labour Party membership, has also had the Labour whip suspended.
• Tamworth: Two out of the three members of the UK Independence Party group have left the party to sit as Independent councillors. They are Chris Cooke (Glascote ward) and Tony Madge (Stonydelph ward).
• Wyre Forest: Steven Walker, who was elected for the Labour Party in Broadwaters ward, has joined the Conservative Party.

New vacancies

• Cheshire East: Bunbury ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Michael Jones, the former council leader who was elected as a Conservative. Term ends 2019.
• St Edmundsbury: St Olave’s ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Bob Cockle. Term ends 2019.

Dates for byelections

• Dacorum: The byelection due in Northchurch ward will be held on 8 March.
• Nottingham: The byelection due in Wollaton West ward will be held on 8 March.
• Redcar and Cleveland: The byelection due in Longbeck ward will be held on 15 March.
• Rutland: The byelection due in Oakham South East ward will be held on 8 March.

Other updates

• Trafford: Matthew Sephton, Independent councillor for Altrincham ward, has been sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment. Although he has not resigned his seat, he will be disqualified if he does not lodge an appeal against sentence or appeals but fails to reduce the sentence.

---

---