Swash Buckler in Somerset

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• East Lindsey: The byelection in Halton Holegate ward held on 3 March was won by Terry Taylor. The Conservatives gain a seat from the New East Lindsey Independent Group (who did not contest it).
• Essex: The byelection in Rayleigh North division held on 3 March was won by James Newport. Liberal Democrat hold.
• New Forest: The byelection in Hythe West and Langdown ward held on 3 March was won by Sean Cullen. Liberal Democrat hold.
• Rochford: The byelection in Downhall and Rawreth ward held on 3 March was won by Jim Cripps. Liberal Democrat hold.
• Sevenoaks: The byelection in Brasted, Chevening and Sundridge ward held on 3 March was won by Nigel Williams. Conservative hold.
• South Somerset: The byelection in Neroche ward held on 3 March was won by Ray Buckler. Liberal Democrat gain from Conservative.
• Southend-on-Sea: The byelection in Southchurch ward held on 3 March was won by Darryl Jones, who is the first person to be elected as a City councillor. Conservative hold.
• Sunderland: The byelection in Redhill ward held on 3 March was won by John Usher. Labour gain from an Independent elected for the UK Independence Party.

Changes of allegiance

• Dartford: Adrian Oakley-Dow, who was elected for the Labour Party in Newtown ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Derbyshire: Philip Rose, who was elected for the Conservatives in Alfreton and Somercotes division, has left the party to sit as an Independent county councillor.
• Elmbridge: Alan Kopitko (Walton North ward) and Christine Richardson (Walton Central ward), who left the Conservative Party last week, have now formed the Elmbridge Independent Councillors group.
• Hounslow: Theo Dennison, who was elected for the Labour Party in Syon ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor. Devina Ram (Cranford ward) has also made the same move.
• Ipswich: Shayne Pooley, who was elected for the Conservatives in Gainsborough ward, has been suspended from the party over social media posts, and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• Kingston-upon-Hull: Julia Conner, who was elected for the Labour Party in Longhill and Bilton Grange ward, has joined the Liberal Democrats.
• Liverpool: Six councillors who voted against the budget proposed by the Labour Mayor have been suspended from the whip. They are Alan Gibbons (Warbreck ward), Alfie Hincks (Everton ward), Alison Clarke (Knotty Ash ward), Lindsey Melia (Fazakerley ward), Rona Heron (Old Swan ward) and Joanne Calvert (also Old Swan ward). In addition George Knibb (Norris Green ward) has left the Labour group to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Mid Devon: Graeme Barnell, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Newbrooke ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned councillor.
• Neath Port Talbot: Two Labour councillors have left the party to join the Independent Democrats. They are Adam McGrath (Cimla division) and Chris James (Briton Ferry East division).
• North Kesteven: Mary Green, who was elected as an Independent in Bassingham and Brant Broughton ward and had been in the NK Independents group, has joined the NK Administration group.
• Northumberland: Holly Waddell, who was elected for the Labour Party in Bywell division, has been automatically excluded from party membership over apparent support for ‘Socialist Appeal’, an accusation she disputes.
• Sheffield: Sophie Wilson, who was elected for the Labour Party in Park and Arbourthorne ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• South Lakeland: Fiona Hanlon, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Grange ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• West Suffolk: Simon Cole, who was elected for the Conservatives in Exning ward but left the party last November, has now rejoined the West Suffolk Independents group.
• Wirral: An Independent group has been formed by two councillors. They are Steve Hayes (elected for the Green Party in Birkenhead and Tranmere ward) and Moira McLaughlin (elected for the Labour Party in Rock Ferry ward).

New vacancies

• Maldon: Heybridge West ward, after the disqualification of Independent councillor Chrisy Morris, who has been given a suspended prison sentence. Term ends 2023.
• Runnymede: New Haw ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Mark Maddox. His term was due to end in May so no byelection will follow.
• Worcester: Nunnery ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Jim Carver. Term ends 2024.

Dates for byelections

• Dorset: The byelection due in Lyme and Charmouth ward will be held on 7 April.
• High Peak: The byelection due in Cote Heath ward will be held on 7 April.
• Horsham: The byelection due in Storrington and Washington ward will be held on 7 April.
• Liverpool: The byelection due in Everton ward will be held on 7 April.
• Liverpool: The byelection due in Warbreck ward will be held on 7 April.
• Maldon: The byelection due in Heybridge West ward will be held on 14 April.
• Wolverhampton: The byelection due in East Park ward will be held on 7 April.

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