Tory trifecta in Dartford

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Dartford: The byelection in Maypole and Leyton Cross ward held on 27 January was won by Kyle Stealey. Conservative hold.
• Dartford: The byelection in Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley ward held on 27 January was won by George Holt. Conservative hold.
• Kent: The byelection in Wilmington division held on 27 January was won by Av Sandhu. Conservative hold.

Changes of allegiance

• Allerdale: Lynda Williams, who was elected as an Independent councillor for Moorclose and Mossbay ward, has left the Allerdale Independents group to found a Moorclose, Westfield and Mossbay Independents group with fellow ward councillor Stephen Stoddart.
• Basildon: Elaine McDonald, who was elected for the Labour Party in Lee Chapel North ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned councillor.
• Bolton: Julie Pattison, who was elected for Farnworth and Kearsley First in Kearsley ward, has joined Reform UK and will sit as a Bolton for Change/Reform UK councillor.
• Braintree: Dean Wallace, who was elected for the Conservatives in Braintree South ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Broxtowe: Margaret Handley, who was elected for the Conservatives in Greasley ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Cheshire East: Nicky Wylie, who was elected for the Conservatives in Poynton East and Pott Shrigley ward, has left the party to sit as a non-grouped councillor.
• Edinburgh: Alison Dickie, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Southside/Newington ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Erewash: Michael Wallis, who was elected for the Conservatives in Oxkbrook and Borrowash ward but was suspended from the party in December 2020, has now returned.
• Forest of Dean: The Independent Alliance group has split, with five members forming the Progressive Independents group and taking in an Indepndent Labour councillor and Lynn Sterry (Cinderford West ward) who has left the Labour Party.
• Gwynedd: Dewi Roberts, who was elected as an Independent councillor for Abersoch division, has joined Plaid Cymru.
• Lancaster: Jake Goodwin, who was elected for the Morecambe Bay Independents in Westgate ward but left them in 2020, has now returned.
• Newcastle-under-Lyme: John Cooper, who was elected for the Conservatives in May Bank ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• North Warwickshire: Simon Rose, who was elected for the Labour Party in Polesworth West ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Rother: Deirdre Earl-Williams, who was elected as an Indepedent in Bexhill Collington ward, has joined the Conservative group, while Paul Courtel who was elected in Bexhill Central ward for the Labour Party has joined the Association of Independents group.
• Sandwell: Laured Kalari, who was elected for the Conservatives in Rowley ward, has had the Conservative whip suspended.
• Shropshire: It is noted that Robert Tindall, who was elected for the Conservatives in Brown Clee division, left the party in July 2021 and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• Stratford-on-Avon: John Fielding, who was elected for the Conservatives in Red Horse ward but had the whip withdrawn in October 2019, has returned to the party.
• Tunbridge Wells: Matthew Bailey, who was elected for the Conservatives in Paddock Wood West ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.

New vacancies

• Harrogate: Marston Moor ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Norman Waller. His term was due to end in May and the council is likely to be abolished, so no byelection is expected.
• St Helens: Town Centre ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Carole Gill. As a full council election is due in May, no byelection will be held.
• Tunbridge Wells: Paddock Wood West ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Bill Hills. Term ends 2023.

Dates for byelections

• East Lindsey: The byelection due in Halton Holegate ward will be held on 3 March.
• Essex: The byelection due in Rayleigh North division will be held on 3 March.
• Herefordshire: The byelection due in Bromyard West ward will be held on 10 March.
• New Forest: The byelection due in Hythe West and Langdown ward will be held on 3 March.
• Rochford: The byelection due in Downhall and Rawreth ward will be held on 3 March.
• Sevenoaks: The byelection due in Brasted, Chevening and Sundridge ward will be held on 3 March.
• Southend-on-Sea: The byelection due in Southchurch ward will be held on 3 March.
• Spelthorne: The byelection due in Stanwell North ward will be held on Wednesday 23 February.

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