Friday 28 February 2014

A REVIEW OF FEBRUARY'S COUNCIL BY ELECTIONS

 MiddleEnglander has done a great job of reviewing Feb's results

There were 9 by-elections during February with 4 seats (44%) changing hands although this number includes an Independent gaining a seat from No Description along with an Independent losing a seat to No Description.  The results can be summarised by:

Party  Candidates     Defended     Retained     Gained         Lost             Won        retention rate
Conservative             9         4        3        1        1          4        75%
Labour           6         3        2
        1          2        67%
Lib Dems           6

        1
          1
UKIP           4





Plaid Cymru           2





Green           2





Independent *           2         1
        1        1          1           0%
No Description           2         1
        1        1          1           0%
English Democrat             1





National Front             1





TUSAC           2





Total         37         9        5        4        4          9        56%

* 2 Independent candidates contested 1 seat

The Conservatives gained one seat from Labour but lost one to the Lib Dems

* Birmingham, Kingstanding - Conservative gain from Labour following resignation of Labour councillor elected in 2012
   Labour had held this ward for many years although the Conservative came within 2.2% in 2008 and swings were on low side in recent years
   New councillor had fought ward in last 4 elections gaining swings of between 3% (since 2008) and 7% (since 2012)

* Charnwood, Birstall Wanlip - Conservative lost to Lib Dem following the death of councillor first elected in 2007 who polled well ahead of his running mate in 2011
   Split representation in both 2003 and 2007 - 1 Conservative and 1 Lib Dem - with Conservatives taking both seats in 2011
   New councillor had been County Council for the area before losing in 2013.  Swing Conservative to Lib Dem  ~14% since 2011 and ~3% since 2007

An Independent gained Conwy, Bewts yn Rhos from No Description in a 4 cornered contest following the resignation of the Councillor
No Description gained Richmondshire, Reeth & Arkengarthdale from an Independent in a straight fight with a Conservative following the death of the Councillor

There were 4 further by-elections in England during February and another in Wales:
* Conservatives held two seats in Tendring, Peter Bruff and St Johns, the former on a swing ~2½% to Labour since 2011 whilst the latter on a similar swing from Labour
* Conservatives held West Lindsey, Scotter with a 31% majority in a straight fight with Lib Dems having lost the other seat to No Description in December 2013
* Labour retained Sheffield, Arbourthorne with a 34% majority although on a 6.7% swing to UKIP since 2012
* Labour also retained Cardiff, Canton with a 8% majority but on a ~10% swing to Plaid Cymru since 2012

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