In the byelections held on 25 September to Swale borough council, Sheppey First! lost both of the seats it was defending. Minster Cliffs ward went to the Conservatives, while Sheerness East ward went to Labour.
The Liberal Democrats secured two gains from the Conservatives. In Hampstead Town ward of Camden borough council: Hampstead Town ward, they took the seat of Mike Greene who had resigned to pursue the Parliamentary nomination for Bournemouth West; in a double blow to Mr Greene, he did not make the shortlist in Bournemouth and Conor Burns was selected instead. The Liberal Democrats also gained Alfriston ward on Wealden district council from the Conservatives.
Labour also held Plumstead ward on Greenwich borough council, and Pin Green ward on Stevenage borough council, which was the third time this year that the ward has been to the polls after the full council election in May and a byelection on 27 March. The Conservatives held Chalfont St Giles ward on Chiltern district council. The Liberal Democrats held Colden Common and Twyford ward on Winchester city council with almost no swing.
Party conference season normally prompts defections but this year has been relatively quiet. However in Preston a husband and wife team have switched from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives. Norman Abram represents Preston West on Lancashire county council, while Christine Abram sits for Lea ward on Preston city council.
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