The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.
Defections
- Broxtowe: The Leader of the council Milan Radulovic has led 19 other Labour councillors in forming The Broxtowe Independents group. Six councillors remain in the Labour group. This news was announced only a few days after the council’s existing Broxtowe Independent group of two councillors joined with three Independent councillors.
- Durham: Paul Taylor, who was elected for the Labour Party in Brandon division, has left the party to sit as an ungrouped councillor.
- Exeter: Zoë Hughes, who was elected for the Labour Party in Pennsylvania ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
- Hertfordshire: Michelle Vince, who was elected for the Labour Party in Borehamwood North division, has left the party to sit as an Independent county councillor.
- Nottinghamshire: Steve Carr, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Bramcote and Beeston North division) but left the party in July 2023, and Elizabeth Williamson, who was elected as an Independent in Greasley and Brinsley division, have both formed a Broxtowe Independent group; both remain within the wider Independent Alliance. Meanwhile John ‘Maggie’ McGrath, who was elected for the Labour Party in Stapleford and Broxtowe Central division, has left the party in forming the separate Broxtowe Independents.
New vacancies
- Brent: Alperton ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Anton Georgiou. Term ends 2026.
- Canterbury: Herne and Broomfield ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Joe Howes. Term ends 2027.
- Canterbury: St Stephens ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, who is moving back to Scotland. Term ends 2027.
- Glasgow: Southside Central ward, after the death of Bailie James Scanlon. Term ends 2027.
- Isle of Wight: Central Rural division, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Suzie Ellis. Her term was due to end in May so no byelection follows.
- New Forest: Bransgore, Burley, Sopley and Ringwood East ward, after the resignation of Green Party councillor Neil Millington. Term ends 2027.
- North Northamptonshire: Oundle ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Charlie Best. His term would have ended in May so he will not be replaced.
- Pendle: Vivary Bridge ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Kieran McGladdery. Term ends 2026.
- Pembrokeshire: Haverfordwest Prendergast division, after the resignation of Independent councillor Andrew Edwards, who was elected as a Conservative. Term ends 2027.
- St Helens: Sutton South East ward, after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Brian Spencer. Term ends 2026.
- Shropshire: Oswestry West division, after the impending resignation of Green Party councillor Mike Isherwood. As his term would have ended in May, there will be no byelection.
- Swansea: Penllergaer ward, after the death of Independents@Swansea councillor Wendy Fitzgerald. Term ends 2027.
- Tendring: The Bentleys and Frating ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Lynda McWilliams. Term ends 2027.
- Westmorland and Furness: Eamont and Shap ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Neil Hughes. Term ends 2027.
Dates for byelections
- Hyndburn: The byelection due in Baxenden ward will be held on 6 February.
- New Forest: The byelection due in Bransgore, Burley, Sopley and Ringwood East ward will be held on 13 February.
- Stevenage: The byelection due in Manor ward will be held on 13 February.
- Tendring: The byelection due in The Bentleys and Frating ward will be held on 6 February.
- Torfaen: The byelection due in Trevethin and Penygarn ward will be held on 13 February.
- Wokingham: The byelection due in Winnersh ward will be held on 6 February.
Other updates
- As part of the Government’s Devolution White Paper, the 21 county councils due to hold elections in May have been given a deadline of 10 January to request that elections are postponed in order to prioritise reorganisation. It is known that Gloucestershire will be applying and that Surrey is intending to do so. Devon, Essex and Hertfordshire are reportedly considering a request.
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