Liberal Democrats on the Slow Train

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Barnet: The byelection in Golders Green ward held on 16 February was won by Peter Zinkin, who returns to the council after previously representing Childs Hill ward. Conservative hold.
• Cambridgeshire: The byelection in St Neots The Eatons division held on 16 February was won by Geoff Seeff. Liberal Democrats gain a seat previously held by an Independent.
• Cornwall: The byelection in Long Rock, Marazion and St Erth division held on 16 February was won by John Martin. Liberal Democrat gain from Conservative.
• Sefton: The byelection in Netherton and Orrell ward held on 16 February was won by Tom Spring. Labour hold.

Changes of allegiance

• Amber Valley: Five councillors, all of whom were originally elected for the Conservatives, have joined Reform UK. They are led by Alex Stevenson (Shipley Park, Horsley and Horsley Woodhouse ward) and Sheena Trower (Langley Mill and Aldercar ward) who left the Conservatives last month. Three more have moved straight from the Conservatives: Mark Burrell (Heanor East ward), Sam Goodrum (Langley Mill and Aldercar ward) and Jackie Stones (Heanor West ward).
• Derbyshire: Alex Stevenson, who was elected for the Conservatives in Greater Heanor division but left the party last month, has now joined Reform UK. He has been joined by Philip Rose (Alfreton and Somercotes division).
• Fareham: Nick Gregory, who was elected for the Conservatives in Fareham South ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Herefordshire: Kath Hey, who was elected for It’s Our County Herefordshire in College ward and was a member of the Independents for Herefordshire group, has joined the Labour Party.
• Liverpool: Gerard Woodhouse, who was elected for the Labour Party in County ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Mid Devon: Chris Daw, who was elected for the Conservatives in Cranmore ward, has left the party to sit as an ungrouped councillor. She remains Cabinet member for continuous improvement.
• Portsmouth: Kirsty Mellor, who was elected for the Labour Party in Charles Dickens ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned councillor.
• Southampton: Barrie Margetts, who was elected for the Labour Party in Coxford ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Stockport: Matt Wynne, who was elected for the Labour Party in Edgeley and Cheadle Heath ward but left the party in October, has now formed the Edgeley Community Association.
• Thanet: Mark Hopkinson, who was elected for the Labour Party in Sir Moses Montefiore ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.

New vacancies

• Braintree: Halstead St Andrews ward, after the death of Halstead Residents’ Association councillor David Hume. No byelection ensues as his term was due to end in May.
• Breckland: Swaffham ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Ed Colman. His term was due to end in May so no byelection follows.
• Norfolk: Swaffham division, after the impending resignation of Conservative councillor Ed Colman. Term ends 2025.
• Peterborough: Park ward, after the impending resignation of Labour councillor Shaz Nawaz. Term ends 2024.
• Telford and Wrekin: Hadley and Leegomery ward, after the death of Labour councillor and former Mayor Leon Murray. His term would have ended in May so he will not be replaced.

Dates for byelections

• Gloucester: The byelection due in Westgate ward will be held on 30 March.
• North Northamptonshire: The byelection due in Rushden South ward will be held on 23 March.

Other updates

• Argyll and Bute: The Scottish National Party group has formed a Strategic Opposition Group with three Independent councillors, and two councillors in Labour and the Scottish Green Party. This group has 17 councillors, against 18 in the ruling Argyll, Lomond and the Islands group.
• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: Council leader Drew Mellor has resigned his leadership post, over inability to deliver a successful financial strategy for the council. An extraordinary full council meeting on Tuesday 21 February will elect a new leadership.
• Mid Devon: The remaining Conservative Party members in the cabinet have been either resigned or been dismissed by the Leader of the council, so the cabinet currently consists only of three Independent and ungrouped councillors.

---

---