Never have happened in Sir Robin’s day

Posted by David Boothroyd
View David's blog
5 months ago / November 24, 2023

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

  • Cambridge: The byelection in Queen Ediths ward held on 23 November was won by Immy Blackburn-Horgan. Liberal Democrat gain a seat previously held by an Independent.
  • Newham: The byelection in Plaistow North ward held on 23 November was won by Sophia Naqvi. Newham Independent Party gain from Labour.
  • Powys: The byelection in Talybont-on-Usk division held on 22 November was won by Raiff Devlin. Liberal Democrat hold.

Changes of allegiance

  • Chelmsford: Two councillors elected for the Conservatives have left the party to sit as Independents. They are Mark Taylor (Bicknacre and East and West Hanningfield ward) and Barry Knight (Writtle ward).
  • Kingston-upon-Thames: Jamal Chohan, who was elected for the Conservatives in Tudor ward, has left the party following controversy over an email to every councillor in Britain. He is sitting as an Independent councillor but has formed a joint ‘Opposition Group’ alongside the two Kingston Independent Residents Group councillors.
  • Newham: Zuber Gulamussen, who was elected for the Labour Party in Plashet ward, has joined the Newham Independents over Labour’s stance on the Middle East crisis.
  • Redcar and Cleveland: Vera Rider, who was eleced as a Cleveland Independent councillor in Longbeck ward, has now rejoined the Conservative Party.
  • Tendring: Two councillors elected for the Conservative Party have left to form the Tendring Residents’ Alliance. They are Jeff Bray (Little Clacton ward) and Peter Harris (Weeley and Tendring ward).
  • Wyre: Ashley Sorenson (Preesall ward), who was a member of the Wyre Independent Group, has left the group and is sitting as an Independent councillor.

New vacancies

  • Blaenau Gwent: Ebbw Vale South ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Carl Bainton. Term ends 2027.
  • Brighton and Hove: South Portslade ward, after the resignation of veteran Labour councillor Les Hamilton. Term ends 2027.
  • Salford: Quays ward, after the impending resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Alex Warren who is taking up a politically restricted post in Watford. Term ends 2026.
  • Wandsworth: Tooting Broadway ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Kate Forbes. Term ends 2026.

Dates for byelections

  • None this week.