Bitter Almonds for the SNP

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Gwynedd: The byelection in Llanrug division held on 25 March was won by Beca Brown. Plaid Cymru hold.
• Midlothian: The byelection in Midlothian East ward held on 25 March was won by Stuart McKenzie. Scottish National Party hold.
• Perth and Kinross: The byelection in Almond and Earn ward held on 25 March was won by Frank Smith. Conservative gain from Scottish National Party.

Changes of allegiance

• Cornwall: Adam Paynter, the deputy leader of the council who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Launceston North and North Petherwin division, has joined the Independent group following his suspension from the Liberal Democrats. Two more Liberal Democrat councillors have left the group to sit as non-aligned councillors: Jade Farrington (Launceston South division) and Matthew McCarthy (Falmouth Penwerris division).
• Doncaster: Tosh McDonald, who was elected for the Labour Party in Town ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Fife: Kate Stewart, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in West Fife and coastal villages ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Inverclyde: Chris McEleny, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Inverclyde West ward, has joined the Alba Party.
• Norfolk: Beverley Spratt, who was elected for the Conservatives in West Depwade division, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned councillor.
• North Lanarkshire: Tommy Morgan, who was elected for the Labour Party in Airdrie North ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Orkney Islands: John Ross Scott, who was elected as an Independent in Kirkwall East ward, has joined the Scottish Green Party.
• Oxfordshire: Dr Suzanne Bartington, who was elected for the Conservatives in Witney North and East division, has left the party to sit as a non-grouped Independent.
• Oxfordshire: Jeannette Matelot, who was elected for the Conservatives in Thame and Chinnor division, has left the party to sit as a non-grouped Independent.
• Redcar and Cleveland: Several members of the Conservative group have formed a new Cleveland Independent Group, but the allegiance of individual councillors appears to be in dispute. It seems likely that four have joined and two remain (Craig and Lee Holmes, both Skelton West ward). Meanwhile Craig Hannaway, elected for Labour in Saltburn ward, has left the party over the selection of a candidate for Hartlepool.
• Juliet Brunner, who was elected for the Conservatives in Matchborough ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned member.
• Watford: Keith Crout, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Stanborough ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Worcestershire: Juliet Brunner, who was elected for the Conservatives in Arrow Valley East division, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned member.

New vacancies

• Aberdeenshire: East Garioch ward, after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Fergus Hood. Term ends 2022.
• Babergh: Great Cornard ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Honor Grainger-Howard. Term ends 2023.
• Bexley: Longlands ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Gareth Bacon, now MP for Orpington. Term ends 2022.
• Brent: Brondesbury Park ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Kieron Gill. Term ends 2022.
• Calderdale: Brighouse ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Scott Benton, now Member of Parliament for Blackpool South. Term ends 2023.
• Carlisle: Harraby South and Parklands ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Niall McNulty. Term ends 2022.
• Colchester: Lexden and Braiswick ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Brian Jarvis. Term ends 2022.
• Cotswold: Fosseridge ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Julian Beale. Term ends 2023.
• Croydon: Kenley ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Steve O’Connell. Term ends 2022.
• Croydon: Park Hill and Whitgift ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Vidhi Mohan. Term ends 2022.
• Dudley: Belle Vale ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Jake Cooper. Term ends 2022.
• Dudley: Kingswinford North and Wall Heath ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Nicola Richards, now Member of Parliament for West Bromwich East. Term ends 2023.
• Eastbourne: Sovereign ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Caroline Ansell, now Member of Parliament for Eastbourne. Term ends 2023.
• East Suffolk: Beccles and Worlingham ward, after the resignation of Green Party councillor Graham Elliott. Term ends 2023.
• Epping Forest: Grange Hill ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Gagan Mohindra, now Member of Parliament for South West Hertfordshire. Term ends 2022.
• Erewash: Hallam Fields ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Pamela Ashley. Term ends 2023.
• Erewash: Nottingha Road ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Diane Fletcher. Term ends 2023.
• Gateshead: Lamesley ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Mary Foy, now Member of Parliament for City of Durham. Term ends 2022.
• Great Yarmouth: Claydon ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Cara Walker. Term ends 2023.
• Great Yarmouth: Ormesby ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Steven Scott-Greenard. Term ends 2023.
• Huntingdonshire: Huntingdon North ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Anita Diaz. Term ends 2022.
• Huntingdonshire: St Ives South ward, after the death of Conservative councillor John Winston Davies. Term ends 2022.
• Islington: Bunhill ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Claudia Webbe, now MP for Leicester West. Term ends 2022.
• Islington: Highbury West ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Andy Hull. Term ends 2022.
• Islington: Mildmay ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Joe Caluori. Term ends 2022.
• Islington: St Peter’s ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Vivien Cutler. Term ends 2022.
• Leeds: Roundhay ward, after the resignation of Labour councillors Eleanor Tunnicliffe. Term ends 2023.
• Leeds: Roundhay ward, after the resignation of Labour councillors Angela Wenham. Her term was extended to May so no byelection will follow.
• Mendip: Wells St Thomas, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Caroline McKinnell. Term ends 2023.
• North East Derbyshire: Eckington South and Renishaw ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Clive Hunt. Term ends 2023.
• North East Derbyshire: Killamarsh East, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Kevin Bone. Term ends 2023.
• North East Derbyshire: Killamarsh West, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Patricia Bone. Term ends 2023.
• North Hertfordshire: Royston Meridian ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Bill Davidson. Term ends 2022.
• North Warwickshire: Polesworth East ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Adam Farrell. Term ends 2023.
• Pendle: Waterside ward, after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Tony Greaves. His term was due to end in May so no byelection will be held.
• Reading: Peppard ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Clare Grasshoff. Term ends 2023.
• Redcar and Cleveland: Hutton ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Caroline Jackson. Term ends 2023.
• Rother: Eastern Rother ward, after the resignation of Sally-Ann Hart, now Member of Parliament for Hastings and Rye. Term ends 2023.
• Rugby: Admiral and Cawston ward, after the resignation of former council leader Michael Stokes. Term ends 2023.
• Sandwell: Tividale ward, after the death of Labour councillor Sandra Hevican. Term ends 2022.
• South Oxfordshire: Forest Hill and Holton ward, after the resignation of South Oxfordshire Residents Group councillor Sarah Gray, who was elected as a Liberal Democrat. Term ends 2023.
• Swindon: Wroughton and Wichelstowe ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Andy Spry. Term ends 2022.
• Tandridge: Chaldon ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Bob Milton who has moved away from the district. Term ends 2023.
• Tunbridge Wells: Paddock Wood West ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Elizabeth Thomas. Term ends 2022.
• Tunbridge Wells: Speldhurst and Bidborough ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Julia Soyke. Term ends 2022.
• Walsall: Pelsall ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Marco Longhi, now Member of Parliament for Dudley North. Term ends 2023.
• Wandsworth: Bedford ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Fleur Anderson, now Member of Parliament for Putney. Term ends 2022.
• Warwick: Leamington Clarendon ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Jerry Weber. Term ends 2023.
• Watford: Nascot ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Jane Johnson. Term ends 2022.
• Welwyn Hatfield: Welham Green and Hatfield South ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Jaida Caliskan. Term ends 2023.
• West Lancashire: Hesketh with Becconsall ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Iain Ashcroft. Term ends 2022.
• West Oxfordshire: Bampton and Clanfield ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor and former council leader James Mills. Term ends 2022.
• West Suffolk: Abbeygate ward, after the resignation of Green Party councillor Lisa Ingwall King. Term ends 2023.
• West Suffolk: Southgate ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Ann Williamson. Term ends 2023.
• West Suffolk: Whepstead and Wickhambrook ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Mary Evans. Term ends 2023.

Dates for byelections

• In England, all current vacancies which do not fill a term ending in 2021 will be held on 6 May 2021, the ordinary day for local elections. The Cabinet Office has confirmed that local elections teams should not plan on this date being brought forward. Regulations in Wales require outstanding byelections to be held in a period between 1 March and 6 May 2021.
• Rhondda Cynon Taf: The byelection due in Llantwit Fardre division will be held on 6 May.
• Rhondda Cynon Taf: The byelection due in Penrhiwceiber division will be held on 6 May.

Other updates

• Liverpool: The Secretary of State announced on Wednesday that having received an inspection report of the City Council, he is proposing to appoint Commissioners to assist in the running of some areas of the council.

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