Trouble for Aberdeenshire Tories

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Changes of allegiance

• Aberdeenshire: Several members changed allegiance this week. Four more councillors elected for the Conservatives have left the party to join the Aligned Independent group: current council leader Jim Gifford (Mid-Formartine ward), Jeff Hutchison (Mearns ward) and Lesley Berry (Inverurie and District ward) moved on 1 June followed by Michael Roy (Banff and District ward) on 4 June. Meanwhile two former Scottish National Party councillors have formed the Social Democratic group: Leigh Wilson (Mearns ward) and Alastair Bews (North Kincardine ward). The council administration remains a coalition between the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Aligned Independents.
• Bolsover: Natalie Hoy, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Clowne East ward, but stood as an Independent candidate in the general election, has now joined the Conservative Party.
• Central Bedfordshire: Two councillors have left the Independent group to be non-aligned. They are Victoria Harvey (Linslade ward) and Silvia Collins (Toddington ward).
• Derby: Frank Harwood, who was elected for the Conservative Party in Oakwood ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor. He is the current year’s Mayor.
• Rotherham: Simon Evans, who was elected for the Labour Party in Wath ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned councillor.
• Swindon: Emma Faramarzi, who was elected for the Conservative Party in Priory Vale ward, has left the party.
• Three Rivers: Two councillors representing Gade Valley ward have left the Liberal Democrats to form an Independent group. They are Joy Mann and Alex Michaels.

New vacancies

• Blackburn with Darwen: Ewood ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Jamie Groves. No byelection will be held as his term was extended to 2021.
• Bolsover: Bolsover North and Shuttlewood ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Pat Cooper. Term ends 2023.
• Dudley: Norton ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Mike Attwood, who was elected for the Conservatives. His term was extended to May 2021 so no byelection will be held.
• Hart: Crookham West and Ewshot ward, after the resignation of Community Campaign Hart councillor Peter Collings. Term ends 2022.
• Lincolnshire: Market Rasen Wolds division, after the death of Conservative councillor Lewis Strange. His term was due to end in 2021 so no byelection follows.
• Mid Devon: Taw ward, after the death of Conservative councillor John Daw. Term ends 2023.
• Sandwell: Old Warley ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Sue Crumpton. Her term was extended to 2021 so she will not be replaced at a byelection.
• Stroud: Amberley and Woodchester ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Phil McAsey. His term would have ended in 2020 but was extended to 2021 so no byelection will ensue.
• Wealden: Heathfield North ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Dick Angel. Term ends 2023.
• West Lindsey: Kelsey Wold ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Lewis Strange. Term ends 2023.
• Wokingham: Finchampstead South ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Pittock, who was elected for the Conservatives. As his term was extended to 2021, there will be no byelection.
• Wolverhampton: Heath Town ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Caroline Siarkiewicz. Term ends 2022.
• Wolverhampton: Tettenhall Wightwick ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Jane Stevenson, now Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton North East. Term ends 2022.
• Wychavon: Elmley Castle and Somerville ward, after resignation of Conservative councillor George Mackison. Term ends 2023.

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. In Wales, all byelections will be held in a period between 1 February and 16 April 2021.

Other updates

• Rhondda Cynon Taf: Martin Fidler-Jones, who announced his impending resignation as Labour councillor for Hawthorn division earlier this year, has confirmed he will stay on until the full council elections in 2022 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

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