The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.
Elections postponed
- The Coronavirus Bill is expected to be enacted next week and will postpone all elections during the crisis: the ordinary round of elections due in May will be delayed for a year, while byelections will be postponed to a date set in secondary legislation. The Bill includes retrospective provision; three out of four byelections due yesterday were cancelled by the Returning Officer in anticipation, as urged by the government.The government seems to have decided to let local government reorganisation proceed in Buckinghamshire on 1 April, and shadow unitary councillors will be established in Northamptonshire.
Result
- Coventry: The byelection in Upper Stoke ward held on 19 March was won by Gurdev Singh Hayre. Labour hold.
Changes of allegiance
- East Devon: The Independent East Devon Alliance, Liberal Democrat, Green Party and ungrouped Independent councillors have formally joined together as the Democratic Alliance group. This group is now the largest on the council, which is run by the Independent Group.
- Manchester: Greg Stanton, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Didsbury West ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
- North Lanarkshire: Angela Feeney, who was elected for the Labour Party in Wishaw ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor after being warned for voting against the budget. Two other councillors have also recently left the Labour group: Gillian Fannan (Cumbernauld East ward) in December and Willie Doolan (Gartcosh, Glenboig and Moodiesburn ward).
- Pendle: Ken Turner, who was elected for the Conservatives in Barrowford ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
New vacancies
- Blaby: Stanton and Flamville ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Sheila Scott. Term ends 2023.
- Bridgend: Nant-y-Moel division, after the resignation of Independent councillor David Owen following his imprisonment. Term ends 2022.
- Mid Sussex: Copthorne and Worth ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Paul Budgen. Term ends 2023.
- South Derbyshire: Hilton ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Jason Whittenham. Term ends 2023.
Dates for byelections
- All pending byelections are expected to be postponed later this week. No election took place in Clackmannanshire East ward of Clackmannanshire, in Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams ward of Test Valley, or in Newington ward of Thanet on Thursday.
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