SNP move in for the Killie

Posted by David Boothroyd
View David's blog
1 month ago / February 21, 2025

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

Defections

  • Ashford: Two councillors elected for the Labour Party have left the party to sit as Independents. They are Alan Dean (Bybrook ward) and Kate Leavey (Beaver ward).
  • Bexley: James Hunt, who was elected for the Conservatives in Blackfen and Lamorbey ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
  • Burnley: Charlie Briggs, who was elected for the Burnley and Padiham Independent Party in Gannow ward but joined the Labour Party in September 2023, has now left Labour to sit as an Independent councillor.
  • Devon: Rob Hannaford, who was elected for the Labour Party in Exwick and St Thomas division, but left the party in January 2024, has now joined the Conservative Party.
  • Edinburgh: Katrina Faccenda, who was elected for Labour in Leith ward but suspended from the whip in January, has returned to the group.
  • Fareham: Paul Whittle, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Portchester Wicor ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
  • Folkestone and Hythe: Connor McConville, who was elected for the Labour Party in East Folkestone ward, has left the party to join the newly-formed Liberal Democrat and Independent group.
  • Gloucestershire: Susan Williams, who was elected for the Conservatives in Bisley and Painswick division but joined the Green Party in May last year, has now returned to the Conservatives.
  • Inverclyde: Stephen McCabe, who was elected for the Labour Party in Inverclyde East ward but was suspended from the whip after a criminal charge in November 2024, has been reinstated by the party after the case was dropped.
  • Leicestershire: Dan Harrison, who was elected for the Conservatives in Ibstock and Appleby division, has left the party to sit as an Independent county councillor.
  • Norfolk: Julian Kirk, who was elected for the Conservatives in Marshland North division, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned Independent councillor, following his defection last week on King’s Lynn and West Norfolk borough council.
  • North East Derbyshire: Stephen Reed, who was elected for the Conservatives in Killamarsh East ward, has joined Reform UK.
  • North Warwickshire: Emma Whapples, who was elected for the Labour Party in Polesworth West ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
  • Renfrewshire: Alec Leishman, who was elected for the Conservatives in Erskine and Inchinnan ward, has joined Reform UK.
  • Rhondda Cynon Taf: Dan Owen-Jones, who was elected for the Labour Party in Tonyrefail East ward, has been suspended from the party and is sitting as a non-aligned councillor.
  • Sandwell: John Tipper, who was elected for the Labour Party in Cradley Heath and Old Hill ward but left the party last year, has joined the Green Party.
  • Tameside: Ged Cooney, who was elected for the Labour Party in Droylsden West ward, has left the group to sit as an Independent councillor. The suspension of the Labour whip is connected to the WhatsApp group scandal.
  • Three Rivers: Rue Grewal, who was elected for the Conservatives in Carpenders Park ward, has left the group to sit as an Independent councillor.
  • West Sussex: Andrew Kerry-Bedell, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Bourne division, has joined the Green and Independent Alliance group.
  • Wiltshire: Antonio Piazza, who was elected for the Conservatives in Trowbridge Drynham division, has left the group to sit as an unaligned councillor.

New vacancies

  • Fife: Glenrothes Central and Thornton ward, after the death of Scottish National Party councillor Ross Vettraino. Term ends 2027.
  • Gwynedd: Teigl division, after the resignation of Plaid Cymru councillor Linda Jones. Term ends 2027.
  • Maldon: Maldon West ward, after the death of Maldon District Independent Group councillor Flo Shaughnessy. Term ends 2027.
  • Neath Port Talbot: Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Cathy James. Term ends 2027.
  • Newcastle-under-Lyme: Loggerheads ward, after the death of the Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Barry Panter, who was a Conservative councillor. Term ends 2026.
  • Pendle: Vivary Bridge ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Tom Ormerod. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

  • Maldon: The byelection due in Maldon North ward will be held on 27 March.
  • St Helens: The byelection due in Sutton South East ward will be held on 3 April.