Broads support for the Conservatives

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Cumbria: Mike Johnson has been returned unopposed as the only candidate nominated for the byelection in Thursby division. There will be no poll on 2 May. Conservative hold.
• Norfolk: The byelection in Wroxham division on 4 April was won by Fran Whymark. Conservative hold.

Changes of allegiance

• Aylesbury Vale: Janet Blake, who was elected for the Conservatives in Stewkley ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent Conservative.
• Bassetlaw: Michael Gray, who was elected for the Conservatives in Ranskill ward, has been suspended from the party and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• Charnwood: David Hayes, who was elected for the Conservatives in Loughborough Shelthorpe ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Chichester: Caroline Neville, who was elected for the Conservatives in Stedham ward, has joined the Liberal Democrats and is standing for re-election under her new allegiance.
• Fenland: Five councillors elected as Conservatives have left the party to sit as Independent councillors. They are Fred Yeulett and Andrew Pugh (both March East ward), Michele Tanfield and Will Sutton (both Elm and Christchurch ward), and Mike Cornwell (March North ward).
• Hartlepool: Two councillors elected for the Labour Party have left the group over internal problems. They are Allan Barclay (Manor House ward) and Sandra Belcher (Jesmond ward), who both cite inaction over homophobic abuse. Both are candidates for re-election sponsored by the Socialist Labour Party; as a result the Labour Party has lost its overall majority on the council.
• Hertsmere: Gary Silver, who was elected for the Conservative Party in Borehamwood Brookmeadow ward, has left the party to sit and stand for re-election as an Independent.
• Lancaster: Roger Mace, who was elected for the Conservatives in Kellet ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned Independent councillor.
• Stratford-on-Avon: Jason Fojtik, who was elected for the Labour Party in Clopton ward, has left the party over national issues. He is standing for re-election on 2 May as an Independent candidate.
• West Oxfordshire: Merilyn Davies, who was elected for the Labour Party in Freeland and Hanborough ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Woking: Graham Chrystie, who was elected for the Conservatives in Pyrford ward, has joined the Liberal Democrats. As a result the Conservatives no longer have an overall majority on the council.

New vacancies

• Copeland: Kells ward, after the disqualification of Independent councillor Michael Guest. His term was due to end in May so there will be no byelection.
• Gosport: Brockhurst ward, after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Austin Hicks. Term ends 2022.
• North Kesteven: For the elections on 2 May, only one candidate has been nominated for two seats in Billinghay, Martin and North Kyme ward. Accordingly there will be a vacant seat following the election. Term ends 2023.
• Somerset West and Taunton: Bob Bowrah, who was a councillor on the former Taunton Deane council, has died.

Date for byelection

• Havering: The byelection due in Cranham ward will be held on 9 May.

Other updates

• Local government reorganisation took place in several areas on Monday. Until the elections on 2 May they are run by temporary shadow authorities consisting of all councillors on the predecessor authorities. All existing councils in Dorset were abolished to be replaced by new unitary councils of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset. Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury districts merged to form West Suffolk, while Suffolk Coastal and Waveney districts merged to form East Suffolk. Finally West Somerset has merged with Taunton Deane to make Somerset West and Taunton.

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