August is normally the cruellest month – very few byelections because the parties don’t like to call them when everyone is on holiday. But this year there are some good ones coming up.
9 August
- Shadwell ward, Tower Hamlets borough council, caused by the resignation of Respect councillor Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury. The seat runs until 2010 and the byelection is being fought by former Tower Hamlets council leader Michael Keith, who represented the seat from 1994 to 2006, for Labour.
- Walton Ambleside ward, Elmbridge borough council, caused by the resignation of Maria-Veronica Butler (Conservative). The term runs until 2010.
16 August
- Fratton ward, Portsmouth City Council. This byelection is caused by the temporary disqualification of Liberal Democrat councillor Phil Shaddock (former Leader of the council) as a result of a Standards Board case. The term runs only until May 2008.
- Midstocket and Rosemount ward, Aberdeen City Council will be a first: the first byelection in Scotland since the electoral system was changed to the Single Transferable Vote. The byelection was caused by the death of Conservative councillor John Porter and the term runs to 2011.
23 August
- Thedwastre South division, Suffolk county council, caused by the resignation of Sue Sida-Lockett (Conservative). Her term ran until 2009.
30 August
- Loughton Alderton ward, Epping Forest district council, caused by the resignation of Terry Farr of the British National Party. The winner will serve until next May.
- Newport North division, Isle of Wight county council, caused by the resignation of Julian Whittaker (Conservative). The term runs to 2009.
6 September
- Crystal Palace ward, Bromley borough council, caused by the death of veteran Liberal Democrat (ex SDP, ex Labour) councillor Chris Gaster. The term runs to 2010.
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