Defections in Bournemouth, Epsom, and Knowsley

Posted by David Boothroyd
View David's blog
14 years ago / April 30, 2010

Latest information about local council electoral matters is as follows:

East Midlands

  • Bassetlaw district council: Vacancy in Worksop North ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor Steven Burton. As his term was due to end in May, there will be no byelection for his replacement.
  • Chesterfield borough council: Byelection on 6 May in Brimington South ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Helen Walsh who is moving to London and fighting a seat on Islington borough council. Term ends 2011.
  • Daventry district council: There will be a double vacancy election in Abbey North ward on 6 May, due to the resignation of Conservative councillor Barry Howard. The terms will end in 2011 and 2014.
  • Derby city council: Vacancy in Abbey ward after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Deirdre Mitchell due to ill health. As her term was due to end in May and she has resigned with less than six months left, there can be no byelection to replace her.
  • East Lindsey district council: Vacancy in North Holme ward after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Clive Finch. Term ends 2011.
  • High Peak borough council: Byelection on 6 May in New Mills West ward after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Sharp, who has been convicted of fraud. Term ends 2011.
  • Leicester city council: Byelection on 6 May in Eyres Monsell ward after the resignation of Kim Blower who had been elected for the Labour Party but was sitting as an Independent. Term ends 2011.
  • Lincoln city council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Moorland ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Oliver Peake. Terms end in 2011 and 2014.
  • Newark and Sherwood district council: Vacancy in Rainhill ward after the death of Labour councillor Allen Tift. Term ends 2011.
  • North Kesteven district council: Byelection on 6 May in Branston ward after the death of Conservative councillor Marjorie Duncan. Term ends 2011.
  • Rushcliffe borough council: Byelection on 6 May in Wiverton ward after the resignation of Independent councillor David Barlow. Term ends 2011.

East of England

  • Bedford borough council: Vacancy in Kempston North ward after the death of Labour councillor Ray Oliver. Term ends 2011.
  • Brentwood borough council: Double vacancy election in Pilgrims Hatch ward on 6 May after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Mathew Aspinell. Term ends 2011.
  • Cambridge city council: There are three wards having double vacancy elections on 6 May. In East Chesterton ward, Liberal Democrat councillor Jennifer Liddle has resigned; in Petersfield ward, Labour councillor Ben Bradnack has resigned; in West Chesterton ward, Liberal Democrat councillor Diane Armstrong has resigned. The terms in East Chesterton and Petersfield will end in 2012 and 2014; in West Chesterton the terms will end in 2011 and 2014.
  • Epping Forest district council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Chipping Ongar, Greensted and Marden Ash ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor Glyn Pritchard who is moving out of the ward. Terms end in 2011 and 2014.
  • Great Yarmouth borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Claydon ward after the death of Labour councillor Richard Barker. Terms end 2011 and 2014.
  • Hertfordshire county council: Vacancy in St Albans South division after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Ellis. Term ends 2013.
  • Ipswich borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Alexandra ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Louise Gooch. Terms end 2012 and 2014.
  • King’s Lynn and West Norfolk borough council: Byelection on 6 May in Mershe Lande ward after the resignation of Independent councillor David Markinson, who has moved to Spain after his sole election pledge was achieved. Term ends 2011.
  • Luton borough council: Byelection on 6 May in South ward, after the disqualification of Labour councillor Michelle Kiansumba who failed to attend any meetings of the council in six months. Term ends 2011.
  • North Hertfordshire district council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Royston Palace ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Liz Beardwell. Terms end 2011 and 2014.
  • North Norfolk district council: Byelection on 6 May in Lancaster South ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Stephanie Towers. Term ends 2011.
  • St Albans district council: Vacancy in Ashley ward after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Ellis. Term ends 2012.
  • Southend borough council: Vacancy in Milton ward after the death of Conservative councillor Ann Robertson. As her term was due to end in May there will be no byelection to replace her.
  • Suffolk county council: Byelection on 6 May in Aldeburgh and Leiston division, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Ron Ward. Term ends 2013.
  • Welwyn Hatfield borough council: There are two double vacancy elections on 6 May. That in Northaw and Cuffley ward is caused by the death of Conservative councillor and former deputy leader of the council, John Mansfield. That in Hatfield Villages ward is caused by the resignation of Conservative councillor Mark Gilding. In both cases the terms will end in 2011 and 2014.

London

  • Barnet borough council: Chris Harris, who was elected as a Conservative in Golders Green ward but was expelled from the party last October over persistent non-attendance, has resigned his seat on the eve of his disqualification. As his term would have been up in May, there will be no byelection.
  • Bexley borough council: Vacancy in Barnehurst ward after the disqualification of Conservative councillor Bill McEwen who failed to attend any meetings in six months.
  • Bromley borough council: Vacancy in Bromley Town ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor Stephen Maly. No byelection can be held as he resigned within six months of full council elections.
  • Camden borough council: Vacancy in Haverstock ward after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Syed Hoque. He was a candidate for re-election and as a result the election in this ward has been postponed to Tuesday 25 May.
  • Croydon borough council: Vacancy in Ashburton ward after the death of Conservative councillor and cabinet member for health and adult social care, Lindsay Frost. There is no byelection due to the current full council election.
  • Greenwich borough council: Elizabeth Truss, Conservative councillor for Eltham South ward, has resigned her seat to concentrate on her Parliamentary candidature in South West Norfolk.
  • Hammersmith and Fulham borough council: Vacancy in Avonmore and Brook Green ward due to the resignation of Conservative councillor Will Bethell. No byelection can be held.
  • Havering borough council: Vacancy in Elm Park ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor David Grantham. There can be no byelection for a replacement.
  • Islington borough council: Vacancy in Bunhill ward after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Donna Boffa. No byelection can be held.
  • Lewisham borough council: Vacancy in Whitefoot ward after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Cathy Priddey. No byelection can be held to replace her.
  • Southwark borough council: Vacancy in The Lane ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Susan Elan Jones who has been selected as Parliamentary candidate for Clwyd South. No byelection can be held as her term was due to expire in May 2010.
  • Wandsworth borough council: Vacancy in East Putney ward after the death of the Mayor of Wandsworth, Prof Brian Prichard CBE, who was elected as a Conservative councillor. The full council elections mean no byelection will be held.
  • Westminster city council: Vacancy in Bryanston and Dorset Square ward, after the death of former Lord Mayor Angela Hooper (Conservative) who was a distinguished and hardworking local councillor who had served for 24 years. Due to the proximity of the local elections, there will be no byelection.

North East

  • Gateshead borough council: Double vacancy election in Dunston and Teams ward on 6 May, after the resignation of Labour councillor David Bollands. Terms end 2012 and 2014.
  • Newcastle-upon-Tyne city council: Double vacancy election in Denton ward on 6 May, after the resignation of former Liberal Democrat leader Peter Arnold. Terms end 2012 and 2014.

North West

  • Burnley borough council: Double vacancy election in Queensgate ward on 6 May after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Bill Bennett. Terms ends 2012 and 2014.
  • Bury borough council: Double vacancy election in Pilkington Park ward on 6 May after the resignation of Conservative councillor Peter Redstone. Terms end 2011 and 2014.
  • Carlisle city council: Byelection on 6 May in Irthing ward, which was not due to have elections as part of the ordinary retirement of councillors. The byelection was caused by the resignation of Conservative councillor and former Mayor Ray Knapton due to ill health; Ray Knapton has since died. Term ends 2011.
  • Cumbria county council: Byelection on 6 May in Longtown Bewcastle division after the resignation of Conservative councillor Amanda Long who is moving to Cambridge for work. There is another vacancy in Aspatria and Wharrels division due to the death of Council leader Jim Buchanan, also a Conservative. Both terms end in 2013.
  • Fylde borough council: Vacancy in Ribby-with-Wrea ward, after the death of Independent councillor Lyndsay Greening. Term ends 2011.
  • Halton borough council: Double vacancy election in Mersey ward on 6 May, after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Sue Blackmore. Terms ends 2012 and 2014.
  • Knowsley borough council: Shelley Powell, who was elected as a Liberal Democrat for Halewood North ward, has joined the Labour Party. Double vacancy election on 6 May in St Gabriels ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Mike Currie. Terms end in 2011 and 2014. The poll was originally to be held on 25 March but has been countermanded due to the death of nominated Labour candidate Mike Peers.
  • Lancashire county council: Byelection on 6 May in Burnley Central East division after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Bill Bennett. Term ends 2013.
  • Lancaster city council: Byelection on 6 May in Skerton West ward, due to the resignation of Labour councillor Robert Smith. Term ends 2011.
  • Pendle borough council: Vacancy in Brierfield ward after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Naseem Shabnam who had been criticized for poor attendance. As her term was due to expire in May 2010, there can be no byelection.
  • Preston city council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Riversway ward after the resignation of Labour councillor Jack Davenport. Terms end in 2012 and 2014.
  • Rochdale borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Healey ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Elwyn Watkins, who is concentrating on his Parliamentary candidature in Oldham East and Saddleworth. Terms end 2011 and 2014.
  • South Lakeland district council: Byelection on 6 May in Staveley-in-Cartmel ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Clive Leal. The council is having elections by thirds but this ward does not have a vacancy due. Term ends 2012.
  • South Ribble borough council: Byelection on 6 May in Moss Side ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor Trafford borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Bowdon ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Stephanie Poole. Terms end 2011 and 2014.
  • Warrington borough council: Double vacancy election in Fairfield and Howley ward on 6 May, after the resignation of Labour councillor Yvonne Fovargue, who has been selected as Parliamentary candidate for Makerfield. Terms end 2011 and 2014.
  • West Lancashire district council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Scott ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor Geoff Hammond. Terms end 2011 and 2014. There is also a vacancy in Skelmersdale South ward after the death of Labour councillor Doreen Saxon. Term ends 2011.
  • Wirral borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Pensby and Thingwall ward after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Sarah Quinn. Terms end in 2011 and 2014.

South East

  • Adur district council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Eastbrook ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor Emma Evans. Terms end 2012 and 2014.
  • Canterbury city council: Martin Fisher, who was elected as a Conservative in Tankerton ward, has been suspended from the party group after his arrest.
  • Chiltern district council: Byelection on 6 May in Amersham on the Hill ward, after the resignation of Conservtive councillor Ronnie Lamont who is working in the USA. Term ends 2011.
  • Elmbridge borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Hersham South ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor Lara Conaway. Terms end 2012 and 2014.
  • Epsom and Ewell borough council: Christine Howells, who was elected as a Residents’ Association councillor for Nonsuch ward, has left the group to sit as an Independent due to her opposition to planned parking charges.
  • Gosport borough council: Vacancy in Christchurch ward after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Jackie Carr. As his term was due to end in May, there will be no byelection to replace him.
  • Hastings borough council: Double vacancy election in Hollington ward on 6 May after the resignation of Labour councillor Terry Soan. Terms end 2012 and 2014. There is also a vacancy in Ore ward after the death of Conservative councillor Roy Tucker. His term was due to end in May and he was standing for re-election, so the election in that ward will be postponed from 6 May.
  • Havant borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Hayling East ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Sheila Pearce. Terms end 2012 and 2014.
  • Isle of Wight council: Byelection on 27 May in Ryde South ward after the disqualification of non-party councillor Adrian Whittaker, who has been given a suspended jail sentence. Term ends 2013.
  • Mid Sussex district council: There are four byelections on 6 May. That in Cuckfield ward follows the death of prominent Conservative councillor Brenda Binge who campaigned for better treatment for hepatitis sufferers. The other three are caused by Conservative councillors resigning: in Haywards Heath – Heath ward, Margaret Baker; in High Weald ward, James Temple-Smithson; in Hurstpierpoint and Downs ward, Christopher Maidment. In all cases the terms end in 2011.
  • Milton Keynes council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Stony Stratford ward, due to the resignation of Conservative councillor Brin Carstens. Terms end in 2011 and 2014.
  • Reigate and Banstead district council: Treble vacancy election on 6 May in Redhill East ward, due to the death of Conservative councillor Frank Moore, and the resignation of Conservative councillor Dr Daniel Poulter who is Parliamentary candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. Terms end in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
  • Surrey county council: Byelection on 6 May in Walton South and Oatlands division, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Roy Taylor. Term ends 2013.
  • Swale borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Queenborough and Halfway ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Paul Hayes. Terms end 2012 and 2014.
  • Test Valley borough council: Byelection on 6 May in Anna ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor Arthur Peters. Term ends 2011.
  • West Oxfordshire district council: Vacancy in Carterton North West ward after the death of Conservative councillor Dave King. As his term was due to end in May, there will be no byelection to fill the vacancy.
  • West Sussex county council: Byelection on 6 May in East Grinstead South and Ashurst Wood division, following the resignation of Conservative councillor Lee Quinn. Term ends 2013.
  • Woking borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Byfleet ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor Simon Hutton. Terms end 2011 and 2014. As a result of his resignation the Conservatives no longer have an overall majority on the council.
  • Wokingham council: There are two double vacancy elections on 6 May, both caused by the deaths of Conservative councillors. Chris Edmunds in Maiden Erlegh ward was a former deputy leader of the council; Malcolm Bryant in Shinfield South ward had been chairman of the council and Conservative group whip. In both wards the terms end in 2012 and 2014. A third vacancy has been caused by the resignation due to illness of Conservative councillor Dennis Morgan of Evendons ward; no byelection can be held to replace him as his term was due to end in May.
  • Worthing borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Marine ward after the resignation of former council leader Keith Mercer. There is also a vacancy in Salvington ward due to the resignation of his wife Heather Mercer; both are Conservatives and are emigrating to Cyprus where Heather Mercer is to take up a university post. As the term in Salvington ward ends in May, no byelection can be held. The terms in Marine ward end in 2011 and 2014.
  • Wycombe borough council: Byelection on 6 May in Totteridge ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Joel Foley. Term ends 2011.

South West

  • Bournemouth borough council: Michael Griffiths, who was elected as a Conservative councillor for Littledown and Iford ward, has joined the Liberal Democrats.
  • Cheltenham borough council: Double vacancy elections on 6 May in two wards due to the resignations of Liberal Democrat councillors. Oakley ward is being vacated by Martin Dunne, and Springbank ward by Simon Wheeler. In both cases the top-polling candidate will have a term ending in 2014, and the second placed candidate a term ending in 2012.
  • East Devon district council: Byelection on 6 May in Seaton ward due to the resignation of veteran Liberal Democrat councillor Margaret Rogers, who is retiring and moving to Harrogate. Term ends 2011.
  • Exeter city council: Byelection on 6 May in Pennsylvania ward caused by the resignation of Conservative councillor Alexander Bond due to pressure of business. Term ends 2011.
  • Gloucester city council: Vacancy in Barton and Tredworth ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Yakub Pandor who gained the second seat in the ward in a double vacancy election at the 2008 local elections. As his term was due to end next May, there can be no byelection to fill the vacancy.
  • Plymouth city council: Double vacancy election in Efford and Lipson ward on 6 May due to the resignation of Labour councillor Bernard ‘Claude’ Miller. Terms end 2011 and 2014.
  • Poole borough council: Byelection on 6 May in Broadstone ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Daniel Martin. Term ends 2011.
  • South Somerset district council: Byelection on 6 May in Tower ward, due to the resignation of Conservative councillor Maili Felton. Term ends 2011.
  • Stroud district council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Berkeley ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Tim Archer. Terms end 2012 and 2014.

West Midlands

  • Dudley borough council: Vacancy in Sedgley ward after the resignation of Conservative councillor John Perry. As his term was due to end in May, there will be no byelection.
  • East Staffordshire borough council: Byelection on 6 May in Bagots ward, after the resignation of former Conservative council leader Alex Fox MBE. Term ends 2011.
  • Herefordshire council: There are two byelections on 6 May, both caused by resignations of Conservative councillors. Hope End ward was vacated by Rees Mills; Ledbury ward by Dr Kay Swinburne (Conservative), who was elected MEP for Wales in June last year. Terms end 2011.
  • Newcastle-under-Lyme borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Westlands ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Mary Moss. Terms end 2012 and 2014.
  • Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council: Vacancy in St Nicholas division after the death of Conservative councillor David Bryden. As his term was due to end in May there will be no byelection.
  • Redditch borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Crabbs Cross ward after the death of Conservative councillor Jack Field. Terms end in 2011 and 2014.
  • Rugby borough council: Vacancy in Dunchurch and Knightlow ward after the death of veteran Liberal Democrat councillor Ron Ravenhall. As his term was due to end in May, there will be no byelection.
  • Sandwell borough council: Vacancy in Rowley ward after the resignation of former council leader Bill Thomas (Labour), who has since died. As his term was due to end in May, there will be no byelection.
  • Stafford borough council: Byelection on 6 May in Gnosall and Woodseaves ward after the death of Conservative councillor Roger Kelly. Term ends 2011.
  • Stoke-on-Trent city council: Vacancy in Blurton ward after the death of Derek Hall, who represented the City Independent Group. As his term was due to expire in May, there will be no byelection to replace him.
  • Stratford-on-Avon district council: There are two byelections on 6 May, both in wards which were not due to be contested in the ordinary election of a third of the council. That in Henley in Arden ward follows the resignation of Conservative councillor Laurence Marshall; that in Shipston-on-Stour ward follows the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Bob White. In both cases the terms end in 2011.
  • Warwickshire county council: There are two byelections on 6 May. That in Nuneaton St Nicholas division follows the death of Conservative councillor David Bryden. That in Studley division follows the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Barry. Both terms end in 2013.
  • Wolverhampton borough council: Double vacancy election on 6 May in Wednesfield North ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Charlotte Quarmby. Terms end 2011 and 2014.
  • Worcester city council: Vacancy in Bedwardine ward after the death of Conservative councillor Barry Mackenzie-Williams. As his term was due to end in May, there will be no byelection.

Yorkshire and the Humber

  • East Riding of Yorkshire council: Byelection on 6 May in Willerby and Kirk Ella ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Kerry Hemming-Tayler. Term ends 2011. The Conservatives have failed to nominate a candidate on time and so the seat will definitely change hands.
  • Kingston upon Hull city council: Double vacancy elections on 6 May in two wards. In Bransholme West ward, Labour councillor Gordon Wilson has resigned and the terms end in 2011 and 2014. In Bricknell ward, Conservative councillor Andrew Percy has resigned in order to concentrate on his efforts as Parliamentary candidate in Brigg and Goole, and the terms end in 2012 and 2014.
  • Ryedale district council: Byelection on 6 May in Norton West ward after the death of Independent councillor . Term ends 2011.

Wales

Scotland

  • Glasgow city council: Byelection on 6 May in Drumchapel and Anniesland ward after the resignation of Labour councillor and recent council leader Steven Purcell, who resigned the leadership due to stress and exhaustion. Term ends 2012.
  • Perth and Kinross council: Byelection on 6 May in Strathallan ward after the death of Scottish National Party councillor John Law. Term ends 2012.