Red Granite City

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Aberdeen: The byelection in Dyce, Bucksburn and Danestone ward held on 23 February was won by Graeme Lawrence, who regains a seat he held in 2012-17. Labour gain from Conservative.
• Wrexham: The byelection in Smithfield ward held on 23 February was won by Jon Jolley. Plaid Cymru hold.

Changes of allegiance

• Basingstoke and Deane: Michael Howard-Sorrell, who was elected for the Labour Party in Brookvale and Kings Furlong ward, but left the party in December, has joined the Green Party.
• Blackpool: Tony Williams, who was elected for the Conservative Party in Anchorsholme ward, and was leader of the group, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned Independent councillor.
• Canterbury: Three councillors have left the Conservative Party group to sit as Independent councillors. They are Colin Spooner (Seasalter ward) due to a dispute about a traffic zone, Peter Vickery-Jones (West Bay ward), and Terry Westgate (St Stephen’s).
• Derbyshire Dales: Peter O’Brien, who was elected for the Labour Party but left to sit as an Independent councillor in September, has now returned to the party.
• Dudley: Shaz Saleem, who was elected for the Conservative Party in Kingswinford North and Wall Heath ward, has been suspended from the party and is sitting as an Independent councillor. It is noted that the suspension of Anne Millward of Gornal ward has ended and she is back in the Conservative group.
• East Cambridgeshire: Matt Downey, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Ely East ward, has been expelled from the party and is sitting as a non-aligned councillor.
• Edinburgh: Ross McKenzie, who was elected for the Labour Party in Sighthill/Gorgie ward, resigned from the party during the budget meeting and is now an Independent councillor.
• North Devon: Paul Henderson, who was elected for the Conservatives in South Molton ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned councillor.
• North West Leicestershire: Michael Hay, who was elected for the Labour Party in Castle Donington Park, has left the party and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• Rochford: Three councillors elected for the Conservatives have left the party group to sit as unaligned councillors. They are James Gooding (Roche South ward), Julie Gooding (Hawkwell West ward), and Jo McPherson (Foulness and The Wakerings ward). As a result the Conservatives no longer have a majority on the council.
• Rother: Jay Brewerton, who was elected as an Independent councillor for Bexhill Pebsham and St Michaels ward, has joined the Conservative Party.
• Rushcliffe: Benjamin Gray, who was elected for the Labour Party in Lutterell ward but left the party in May 2022, has now joined the Green Party.
• Slough: Wayne Strutton, who was elected for the Conservatives in Haymill and Lynch Hill ward, has left the group to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Stockport: Amanda Peers and Andy Sorton, both of whom were elected for the Labour Party in Brinnington and Central ward, have left the party to sit as Independent councillors.
• Stockton-on-Tees: Steve Matthews, who was elected for the Conservatives in Western Parishes ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Stroud: Nick Hurst, who was elected for the Conservatives in Minchinhampton ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Vale of White Horse: Jerry Avery, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Thames ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Winchester: Jamie Scott, who was elected for the Conservatives in St Luke ward, has joined the Liberal Democrats.

New vacancies

• Chelmsford: Goat Hall ward, after the death of veteran Liberal Democrat councillor Tom Willis. His term was due to end in May so no byelection is prompted.
• Tandridge: Portley ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Kerry Mansfield. Her term would have ended in May so she will not be replaced.
• Trafford: Broadheath ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Serena Carr. No byelection follows as her term would have ended in May.

Dates for byelections

• Isle of Anglesey: The byelection due in Aethwy division will be held on 30 March.
• Barking and Dagenham: The byelection due in Heath ward will be held on 30 March.
• Corporation of London: The byelection due for a Common Councilman in Castle Baynard ward will be held on 23 March.
• Corporation of London: The byelection due for a Common Councilman in Cripplegate ward will be held on 23 March.

Other updates

• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: Conservative councillor Philip Broadhead has been elected unopposed as Leader of the council for a term ending in May. He has formed a minority Conservative administration.

---

---