COUNCIL BY-ELECTIONS 24.10.19

There were eight by-elections last night - five in England and three in Wales.  Once again Labour failed to post an increase in its vote share, despite managing to break a two month old duck last week.  In Northamptonshire the Tories took a seat from Labour, who were forced into last place by the Lib Dems.  The Lib Dems had a good night, registering a significant increase in vote share across all but one of the seats contested.  They scored a stunning gain from the Conservatives in mid-Wales, coming from nowhere to win in Llandrindod North (due in part to the absence of the Greens).

It was a mixed night for the Tories, with their vote share down in all but two of the seats contested.

Abbey North, Daventry District Council

Con: 376 (41.0%) +13.9%
Lib Dem: 280 (30.5%) +9.7%
Lab: 262 (28.5%) -11.3%

Con GAIN from Lab

Heavitree & Whipton Barton, Devon County Council

Lab: 1,032 (31.9%) -19.4%
Con: 992 (30.7%) -0.7%
Lib Dem: 576 (17.8%) +11.1%
Green: 563 (17.4%) +11.5%
For Britain: 70 (2.2%) New

Lab HOLD

Bagillt West, Flintshire County Council

Lab: 251 (63.5%) -36.5%
Ind: 144 (36.5%) New

Lab HOLD (previously elected unopposed)

Llandrindod North, Powys County Council

Lib Dem: 226 (47.2%) New

Con: 164 (34.2%) -19.6%

Lab: 89 (18.6%) -1.2%

Lib Dem GAIN from Con

Newtown South, Powys County Council

Con: 134 (43.5%) -11.4%
Lib Dem: 110 (35.7%) New
Plaid: 64 (20.8%) -8.7%

Con HOLD

Coupe Green & Gregson Lane, South Ribble Borough Council

Con: 437 (49.1%) -0.8%

Ind: 343 (38.5%) New

Lib Dem: 110 (12.4%) New

Con HOLD

Melksham Without South, Wiltshire Council

Con: 593 (60.4%) +5.1%

Lib Dem: 388 (39.6%) +21.5%

Con HOLD

Torksey, West Lindsey District Council

Con: 378 (35.7%) -22.9%
Lib Dem: 346 (32.6%) -8.8%
Brexit: 299 (28.2%) New
Lab: 37 (3.5%) New

Con HOLD