A list of upcoming council by elections and vacant seats

Link to >>> Council election results May 2016 - April 2017

Collated By MiddleEnglander

There are 19 by-elections for 20 seats during February, including a "double" contest, and 8 already for March.  There are  a further 16 known vacancies in England where there is as yet no date for the by-election although there are indications a number may not be held until 4th May.

2nd February - 3East Staffordshire BC, Town - Conservative resigned - 3 candidates: Con, Lab, UKIP
Rotherham MB, Brinsworth & Catcliffe - Labour resigned - 5 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green, UKIP
Rotherham MB, Dinnington - UKIP resigned - 8 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green, UKIP, 3 x Ind

9th February - 5Corby BC, Kingswood & Hazel Leys - Labour sitting as Independent disqualified for non-attendance - 3 candidates: Con, Lab, Green
Cotswold DC, Fairford North - Conservative resigned - 3 candidates: Con, LD, Green
Fylde BC, St John's - Ratepayer Disqualified for non-attendance - 4 candidates: Con, Lab, Green, Ratepayer
North Norfolk DC, Waterside - Conservative disqualified for non-attendance - 4 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, UKIP
Tendring DC, Great & Little Oakley - Independent resigned - 4 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, UKIP

16th February - 6 including "double" electionCheshire East UA, Bollington - Conservative resigned - 5 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green, Bollington First
Dudley MB, St Thomas's - Labour resigned- 4 candidates: Con, Lab, Green, UKIP
East Staffordshire BC, Burton - Liberal Democrat resigned - 4 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, UKIP
Forest of Dean DC, Lydbrook & Ruardean - UKIP sitting as Independent resigned - 5 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green, UKIP
Oldham MB, Failsworth East - Labour resigned - 5 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green, UKIP
Uttlesford DC, Elsenham & Henham - 2 Liberal Democrat resigned - 12 candidates: 2 Con, 2 Lab, 2 LD, 2 Green, 2 UKIP, 2 Residents

17th February - 1Wokingham UA, Emmbrook - Conservative resigned - 4 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, UKIP

21st February - 1Basingstoke & Deane BC, Winklebury - Conservative resigned - 3 candidates: Con, Lab, LD

23rd February - 3Epping Forest DC, Chigwell Village - Conservative resigned
Kettering BC, Barton - Conservative sitting as Independent resigned - 4 candidates: Con, LD, Green, UKIP
South Hams DC, Charterlands - Conservative resigned - 4 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green

2nd March - 4Christchurch BC, Mudeford & Friars Cliff - Conservative resigned
Redcar & Cleveland UA, Hutton - Conservative resigned
Redcar & Cleveland UA, Newcomen - Liberal Democrat died
Salford MB, Kersal - Labour died

9th March - 4Broxbourne BC, Waltham Cross - Labour died
Derby UA, Derwent - UKIP died
East Hertfordshire DC, Hertford Castle
West Oxfordshire DC, Hailey, Minster Lovell & Leafield - Conservative died

Not yet called - 16Aylesbury Vale DC, Elmhurst - UKIP resigned around 21st December
Blackburn with Darwen UA, Higher Croft - Labour died around 11th January
Blackpool UA, Warbeck - Conservative died around 16th October
Breckland DC, Saham Toney - Conservative resigned 25th January
Doncaster MB, Norton & Askern - Labour died 16th August
Harrow LB, Roxbourne - Labour died 14th January
Havant BC, Emsworth - Conservative died 10th November
Herefordshire UA, Leominster South - Independent died 16th December
Preston BC, Preston Rural East - Conservative died 19th November
Rugby BC, Coton & Boughton - Conservative resigned 12th January
Rutland UA, Exton - Conservative resigned 13th January
South Ribble BC, Walton-le-Dale East - Conservative sitting as Independent Conservative resigned 3rd January
Stevenage BC, Roebuck - Labour died around 7th January
Stratford-on-Avon DC, Ettington - Conservative to resign probably during March
Stratford-on-Avon DC, Red Horse - Conservative resigned around 2nd December
Tendring DC, St James - UKIP sitting as Coastal Independent died

Vacancies subject to "6 month" rule - 27
Buckinghamshire CC, Amersham & Chesham Bois - Conservative died
Durham UA, Chester-Le-Street - Labour resigned
Durham UA, Coxhoe - Labour resigned 
Essex CC, Halstead - Conservative died
Gloucestershire CC, Drybrook & Lydbrook - UKIP sitting as Independent resigned
Hampshire CC, Bedhampton & Leigh Park - UKIP resigned
Hertfordshire CC, Broadwater - Labour died
Isle of Wight UA, Arreton & Newchurch - Independent died
Lancashire CC, Great Harwood - Labour resigned
Lancashire CC, Lancaster Rural North - Conservative resigned
Lincolnshire CC, Mablethorpe South - UKIP resigned
Norfolk CC, Lothingland - UKIP died
North Yorkshire CC, Richmondshire North - Conservative died
Suffolk CC,  Lowestoft South - UKIP resigned
West Sussex CC, East Grinstead South & Ashurst Wood - Conservative resigned
Worcestershire CC, Redditch South - Conservative resigned

Aberdeenshire UA, Aboyne, Upper Deeside & Donside - Conservative resigned
Aberdeenshire UA, Peterhead South & Cruden - Independent due to resign end of January
Fife UA, Kirkcaldy East - Labour died
Highland UA, Wick - SNP resigned
Renfrewshire UA, Houston, Crosslee & Linwood - Labour resigned

Cardiff UA, Cyncoed - Liberal Democrat resigned
Cardiff UA, Llandaff North - Labour resigned
Denbighshire UA, Denbigh Lower - Independent
Flintshire UA, Caerwys - Conservative resigned
Isle of Anglesey UA, Lliwgy - Independent resigned
Powys UA, Builth - Independent resigned

East Ayrshire, Kilmarnock East & Hurlford Council by election result 26th January 2017

Link to >>> Council Election Results May 2016 - April 2017

East Ayrshire, Kilmarnock East & Hurlford - SNP hold
- based on first preference votes 

Party	2017 votes	2017 share	since 2012	since 2007
SNP	1,461	48.7%	+2.1%	+9.2%
Labour	881	29.4%	-16.6%	-15.6%
Conservative	602	20.1%	+12.7%	+12.4%
Libertarian	53	1.8%	from nowhere	from nowhere
Independent				-5.4%
Solidarity				-2.3%
Total votes	2,997		68%	46%

Swing Labour to SNP 9.3% since 2012 and 12.4% since 2007

Council now 15 SNP, 14 Labour, 2 Conservative, 1 IndependentEast Ayrshire UA
Kilmarnock East and Hurlford

Scottish National Cllr James Buchanan died ("A vastly experienced councillor, he always put that knowledge to good use, but his particular passion was town centre regeneration and his drive and enthusiasm will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.” - Cllr John Campbell)

Fiona CAMPBELL (Scottish National Party)
Jon HERD (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
Stephen MCNAMARA (Scottish Libertarian Party)
Dave MEECHAM (Scottish Labour Party)





2007: Lab 2925 (45.0%), SNP 2569 (39.5%), Con 502 (7.7%), Ind 350 (5.4%), Sol 151 (2.3%)
Elected: 2 Lab 2 SNP

2012: SNP 2070 (46.7%), Lab 2038 (46.0%), Con 326 (7.4%)
Elected: 2 SNP 2 Lab

Former Labour MP Tam Dalyell dies

The former MP Tam Dalyell has died at the age of 84 after a short illness.

He sat in the House of Commons from 1962 to 2005, representing West Lothian and Linlithgow for Labour.

Mr Dalyell became known for his formulation of the "West Lothian Question" about the role of Scottish MPs after the establishment of the Scottish parliament.

His family said in a tribute that he had made an enormous contribution and "devoted his life" to public service.

They said: "The family of Tam Dalyell are sorry to announce his death earlier today at the age of 84, after a short illness.

"Tam Dalyell devoted his life to public service in Scotland, in the UK, and beyond. He made an enormous contribution in many spheres.

"He will be much missed both publicly, and more importantly personally, by his family and many friends."

He won admiration from across the political spectrum as an honourable and principled member of parliament.

Falklands War

Mr Dalyell persistently questioned Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher over the sinking of the General Belgrano during the Falklands War.

He challenged her over the sinking of the warship during the conflict between Britain and Argentina - with the loss of more than 300 lives - and whether it had been necessary.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Mr Dalyell had been a "good friend and comrade".

"Tam was a titan of parliamentary scrutiny, fearless in pursuit of the truth. From Iraq to the miners' strike, he doggedly fought to expose official wrongdoing and cover-ups," he said.

"The title of his autobiography summed Tam up to a tee: 'The Importance of Being Awkward.'

"But he was much more than that: Tam was an outstanding parliamentarian, a socialist and internationalist, and a champion of the underdog, here and abroad."

Image copyrightPA

Image captionMr Dalyell was elected to the House of Commons in 1962

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "For four decades, Tam Dalyell was one of the truly great characters of Scottish political life.

"He was widely respected and admired for his insight, his integrity and his eloquence.

"My thoughts are with his family."

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: "The Labour movement has lost a giant. Tam Dalyell was one of the most influential MPs, writers and thinkers of his generation.

"Tam served the people of West Lothian tirelessly for decades through periods of great change. He truly was their champion. As Father of the House his wisdom was passed on to countless MPs, serving as a parliamentarian while Britain had eight Prime Ministers.

She added: "A man of peace and a man of principle, his legacy will live on in the Commons for decades to come.

"Our thoughts are with his family and many friends at this time."

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson added: "Tam Dalyell will be remembered as one of this country's greatest ever campaigning MPs.

"Throughout his long career, he championed a countless array of causes, giving voice to people who otherwise would not have been heard.

"He was unique - thoughtful, gracious, decent and utterly tenacious. All political parties today will mourn his loss while celebrating a great political life."

SOURCE

Council by election for the 26th January 2017

Link to >>> Council election results May 2016 - April 2017

East Ayrshire UA
Kilmarnock East and Hurlford

Scottish National Cllr James Buchanan died ("A vastly experienced councillor, he always put that knowledge to good use, but his particular passion was town centre regeneration and his drive and enthusiasm will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.” - Cllr John Campbell)

Fiona CAMPBELL (Scottish National Party)
Jon HERD (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party)
Stephen MCNAMARA (Scottish Libertarian Party)
Dave MEECHAM (Scottish Labour Party)





2007: Lab 2925 (45.0%), SNP 2569 (39.5%), Con 502 (7.7%), Ind 350 (5.4%), Sol 151 (2.3%)
Elected: 2 Lab 2 SNP

2012: SNP 2070 (46.7%), Lab 2038 (46.0%), Con 326 (7.4%)
Elected: 2 SNP 2 Lab
Ward profile:

To the north of the ward situated between Craufurdland Water to the west and the A77 bypass to the east is the council estate of New Farm Loch. The estate consists of rows of grim grey council housing, with some flats to the south. There are also a few mixed suburbs on the edges of the estate (at the very northern tip of the estate and to the west of the estate), with some more attractive villa properties in the south-east. This is a staunch area for the SNP who managed to take 44.3% of the vote in the New Farm Loch North & Dean ward at the 2003 council election and 58.5% of the vote in the New Farm Loch South ward at the 1999 council election. 

South of the railway line, the ward takes on a more suburban character towards the A77 and around London Road, with some frayed edges. It stretches west to cover part of Kilmarnock's relatively attractive, albeit highly deprived, town centre. At the 1999 and 2003 council elections this area, mostly covered by the Kilmarnock Central East ward, was a tight Labour-SNP marginal, going SNP by a majority of 12 votes in 1999 and Labour by a majority of 73 votes in 2003. Today, as with the vast majority of Kilmarnock, this area is SNP territory, though it is also the most Conservative-friendly part of the ward.

Crossing the A77 to the south-east is the grim ex-coal mining village of Hurlford, and its adjoining hamlet of Crookedholm, which is mostly made-up of council housing. Traditionally Hurlford has been among the staunchest Labour strongholds in East Ayrshire, contrasting the SNP's traditional strength in New Farm Loch.  In 2003 Hurlford delivered a thumping 70.6% Labour vote. Today it's safely in the SNP bracket, though Labour's underlying strength here could make itself known in this by-election.

Kilmarnock East and Hurlford is a mostly working class ward which has traditionally been an important battleground between the SNP and Labour: though today, as with much of Scotland, it has trended heavily over to the SNP. We know that both Kilmarnock and Hurlford voted in favour of Scottish independence back in 2014, and my notionals suggest that this ward had a "Yes" vote of approximately 53% contrasting a wider No vote of 53% in the Scottish Parliament seat of Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley, which had a massive 55.4% SNP vote in 2016.

I believe that this ward should return another SNP Councillor easily: the most important figure will be the Conservative vote - if they can get a high enough vote share here to win themselves a Councillor under normal circumstances (with all four wards up for grabs) that will be a very good sign for them. 

Bromsgrove, Norton Council by election result 19th January 2017

Link to >>> Council Election Results May 2016 - April 2017

Bromsgrove, Norton - Conservative hold

Party	2017 votes	2017 share	since 2015
Conservative	219	43.2%	-16.6%
Labour	186	36.7%	+7.1%
UKIP	82	16.2%	from nowhere
Green	20	3.9%	-6.6%
Total votes	507		32%

Swing Conservative to Labour ~ 12% since 2015

Council now 18 Conservative, 7 Labour, 3 Independent, 3 Residents

Bromsgrove DC
Norton
Conservative died ("He was "Mr Bromsgrove", a quiet man, a family man, and he died too soon")



2015: Con 943 (dec), Lab 467, Green 166
2011: Con 856 (dec)/703, Lab 555/490, Ind 309, Green 167
2007: Con 686/665, Ind 624
2003: Con 631/584, Lab 441

Michelle BAKER (Green Party)
Rory SHANNON (Labour Party)
Adrian SMART (UK Independence Party (UKIP))
Michael WEBB (The Conservative Party Candidate)