Revolution in Runnymede

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Change of allegiance

• Basingstoke and Deane: Samir Kotecha, who was elected for the Conservatives in Hatch Warren and Beggarwood ward, has joined the Basingstoke and Deane Independent Group. This group, together with three other Independent councillors, two from the Green Party and one Women’s Equality Party councillor, have formed a single ‘Independent Forum’ group on the council.
• Bassetlaw: Two Labour councillors have left the party to sit as Independent councillors. They are Gillian Freeman (Langold ward) and Deborah Merryweather (Worksop East ward).
• Cambridgeshire: Keith Prentice, who was elected for the Conservatives in St Neots Priory Park and Little Paxton division, but left the party in February, has now joined the Labour Party.
• Carmarthenshire: Dai Nicholas, who was elected for Plaid Cymru in Llandybie ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent group councillor.
• Flintshire: Five members elected for the Labour Party have left to set up the Flintshire People’s Voice group. They are Sam Swash (Hawarden Mancot ward), Gillian Brockley (Hawarden Aston ward), Alasdair Ibbotson (Penyffordd ward), and Carolyn Preece and Dan Rose (both representing Buckley Bistre West ward).
• Gloucestershire: Susan Williams, who was elected for the Conservatives in Bisley and Painswick division, has joined the Green Party. As a result the Conservatives have lost their overall majority on the council.
• Hackney: Three councillors have left the Labour group to form a Hackney Independent Socialist group. They are Claudia Turbet-Delof and Penny Wrout (both Victoria ward), and Fliss Premru (Clissold ward).
• Kirklees: Mussarat Khan, who was elected for the Labour Party in Dalton ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Newport: Miqdad Al-Nuaimi, who was elected for the Labour Party in Stow Hill ward, has left the group to sit as an Independent councillor.
• North Yorkshire: Rich Maw, who was elected for the Labour Party in Weaponness and Ramshill division, has left the party to sit as an Independent unaffiliated councillor.
• Reigate and Banstead: Sam Walsh, who was elected for the Conservatives in Banstead Village ward but was removed from the group last year, has now returned to it.
• Stratford-on-Avon: Trevor Harvey, who was elected for the Conservatives in Tredington ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Telford and Wrekin: Paul Thomas, who was elected for the Conservatives in Priorslee ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Wealden: Neil Cleaver, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Hailsham Central ward, has left the party to sit as an ungrouped Independent councillor.
• West Lindsey: Jeanette McGhee, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Gainsborough South West ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor. This means the party has lost the overall majority it gained through defection in February.

New vacancy

• Caerphilly: Aberbargoed and Bargoed ward, after the death of Labour councillor Dianne Price. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

• Coventry: The election in Rasford ward, which was postponed due to the death of a candidate, will take place on 20 June.
• Doncaster: The byelection due in Town ward will be held on 4 July.
• Eilean Siar: The byelection due in Na Hearadh ward will be held on 4 July.
• Hackney: The byelection due in Hoxton West ward will be held on 27 June.
• City of London: An election for Alderman of Cripplegate ward will be held on 4 July.
• City of London: The byelection due in Farringdon Within ward will be held on 4 July.
• Mansfield: The byelection due in West Bank ward will be held on 20 June.
• Oxfordshire: The byelection due in Sutton Courtenay and Marcham division will be held on 20 June.
• Vale of White Horse: The byelection due in Sutton Courtenay ward will be held on 20 June.

Other updates

• Basingstoke and Deane: The council will continue to be run by the Independent Forum in coalition with the Liberal Democrats.
• Burnley: The ‘Co-operative Alliance’ of the Burnley Independent Group, Green Party and Liberal Democrats will continue to run the council.
• Dorset: Although the Liberal Democrats won a narrow overall majority on the council, they have formed an agreement with the Green Party which includes representation in the cabinet.
• Dudley: An agreement between the parties means the Conservatives will lead the council as a minority, with a Labour Mayor and having additional scrutiny responsibilities.
• Elmbridge: A coalition between Liberal Democrats and Residents’ Association councillors will continue to run the council.
• Havant: A coalition of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green Party councillors will run the council.
• Pendle: A renewed agreement means that the council will be run by the Independent Group and Liberal Democrats for the forthcoming year.
• Rugby: Discussions about the council leadership are happening. The Liberal Democrats have said their proposal of a ‘Rainbow’ all-party administration was vetoed by both Conservative and Labour groups.
• Runnymede: The Labour, Liberal Democrat, Runnymede Independent Residents’ Group, Green Party and Independent councillors from Englefield Green East ward have formed a joint ‘Runnymede Council Alliance’ and will all sit in the same group on the council. There will be four co-Leaders of the council.
• Sheffield: The ‘Collaborative Council’ approach will continue, with Labour again holding the Leader and Deputy Leader posts, and the Policy Committee chairs divided as four Labour, three Liberal Democrats and two Green Party.
• Southend-on-Sea: A decision on the council’s leadership was expected at the AGM this week but has been postponed to Monday. It is likely a Labour-led administration will take control.
• Worcester: The annual meeting of the council changed the constitution to end the previous enforced coalition, and then elected a minority Labour leadership.

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