Behaving with Dacorum

Posted by David Boothroyd
View David's blog
2 months ago / August 2, 2024

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Changes of allegiance

  • Dacorum: Ron Tindall, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Adeyfield West ward and was until recently the council leader, has been suspended from the Liberal Democrat group and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
  • Flintshire: Mared Eastwood, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Argoed and New Brighton ward, has joined the Eagle group. Also, Ian Hodge, who was elected as an Independent councillor in Holywell East ward and had been non-aligned since May, has joined the group.
  • Islington: The two former Labour councillors who left the party earlier this month have now joined the ‘Islington Independent Socialists’ group formed last week. They are Ilkay Cinko-Oner (Laycock ward) and Phil Graham (Bunhill ward).
  • North East Derbyshire: Heather Liggett, who was elected for the Conservatives in Shirland ward, has left the party to join the Independent group.
  • Mansfield: Sid Walker, who was elected for Mansfield Independents in Newlands Forest Town ward, has joined Reform UK.
  • Waverley: Steve Williams, who was elected for the Green Party in Godalming Binscombe and Charterhouse ward, has been expelled from the party after supporting tactical voting in the general election. He is now sitting as an Independent councillor in alliance with the Labour group.

New vacancies

  • Cambridge: Romsey ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor MairĂ©ad Healy, who had been elected for the Labour Party but left the party in October last year. Term ends 2027.
  • Dundee: Lochee ward, after the death of Labour councillor Charlie Malone. Term ends 2027.
  • Highland: Cromarty Firth ward, after the resignation of Highland Independent councillor Pauline Munro. Term ends 2027.
  • Highland: Cromarty Firth ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Molly Nolan. Term ends 2027.
  • Lancaster: Scotforth East ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Sophie Maddocks. Term ends 2027.
  • Milton Keynes: Bletchley East ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Emily Darlington, now Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes Central. Term ends 2027.
  • Newcastle upon Tyne: North Jesmond ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Gerry Keating due to ill health. Term ends 2027.
  • North Ayrshire: Arran ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Timothy Billings. Term ends 2027.
  • Pembrokeshire: The Havens division, after the death of Independent group councillor Peter Morgan. Term ends 2027.
  • Powys: Machynlleth division, after the death of Independent councillor Mike Williams. Term ends 2027.
  • Suffolk: Hoxne and Eye division, after the death of Conservative county councillor Peter Gould. Term ends May next year.
  • Tower Hamlets: Bow East ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Rachel Blake, now Member of Parliament for Cities of London and Westminster. Term ends 2026.

Dates for byelections

  • Cheshire East: The byelection due in Crewe West ward will be held on 5 September.
  • Gateshead: The byelection due in Bridges ward will be held on 12 September.
  • Milton Keynes: The byelection due in Bletchley East ward will be held on 12 September.
  • Newcastle upon Tyne: The byelection due in North Jesmond ward will be held on 12 September.
  • North Ayrshire: The byelection due in Arran ward will be held on 12 September.
  • Redcar and Cleveland: The byelection due in Longbeck ward will be held on 5 September.
  • Swale: The byelection due in Priory ward will be held on Tuesday 3 September.
  • Tower Hamlets: The byelection due in Bow East ward will be held on 12 September.