Sad Storey in Suffolk

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Changes of allegiance

• Bradford: Mike Gibbons, who was elected for the Conservatives in Ilkley ward, has left the party group and is sitting as an Indepependent councillor.
• Bridgend: Tim Thomas, who was elected for Plaid Cymru in Ynysawdre division but left the party recently, has joined the Welsh Nation Party established by Neil McEvoy MS. He has also joined the Independent Alliance group on the council.
• Leeds: Ronald Grahame, who was elected for the Labour Party in Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward, has left the party group following criminal charges.
• Suffolk: Jane Storey, who was elected for the Conservatives in Thedwastre North division, has left the party to sit as an Independent county councillor. Her move follows the decision of the party not to reselect her.

New vacancies

• Basingstoke and Deane: Kempshott ward, after the death of Conservative councillor and former Mayor Anne Court. Her term was extended to May next year so she will not be replaced in a byelection.
• Birmingham: Hall Green North ward, after the impending resignation of Labour councillor Lou Robson. Term ends 2022.
• Kingston-upon-Thames: Chessington South ward, after the resignation of veteran Liberal Democrat councillor Tricia Bamford. Term ends 2022.
• South Hams: Ivybridge West ward, after the death of Conservative councillor David May. Term ends 2023.
• South Tyneside: Fellgate and Hedworth ward, after the death of former Mayor and Labour councillor Alan Smith. His term had been extended to May next year so no byelection will be held.

Dates for byelections

• In England, all current vacancies which do not fill a term ending in 2021 will be held on 6 May 2021, the ordinary day for local elections. The Cabinet Office has confirmed that local elections teams should not plan on this date being brought forward. In Wales, all byelections will be held in a period between 1 February and 16 April 2021.

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