The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.
Defections
- Ashfield: Andy Gascoyne, who was elected for the Ashfield Independents in Selston ward, has joined Reform UK.
- Cardiff: Emma Reid-Jones, who was elected for the Conservatives in Lisvane and Thornhill ward but left the party in July last year, has now returned.
- Cumberland: Linda Jones-Bulman, who was elected for the Labour Party in Cleator Moor East and Frizington ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
- Devon: Frank Biederman, who was elected as an Independent county councillor for Fremington Rural division, has joined the Liberal Democrats.
- Edinburgh: Katrina Faccenda, who was elected for the Labour Party in Leith ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
- Highland: Sinclair Coghill, who was elected as an Independent councillor in Cromarty Firth ward, has joined the Highland Alliance group on the council.
- Kent: Dirk Ross, who was elected for the Conservatives in Ashford South division, has left the party to sit as an Independent county councillor.
- North Devon: Frank Biederman, who was elected as an Independent in Fremington ward, has joined the Liberal Democrats.
- Redcar and Cleveland: Justin Thompson, who was elected for the Conservatives in Skelton East ward, has been suspended from the party over a Facebook comment.
- Sandwell: Wakas Younis, who was elected for the Labour Party in Tividale ward but had the whip suspended in November 2023, has been readmitted.
- Somerset: Bente Height, who was elected for the Conservatives in Shepton Mallet division but left the party earlier this month, has jow joined Reform UK.
- South Kesteven: Rhys Baker, who was elected for the Green Party in Bourne Austerby ward, has left the party to sit as an unaligned Independent councillor.
- West Sussex: Andrew Baldwin, who was elected for the Conservatives in Holbrook division, has joined Reform UK.
- Wokingham: Alex Freeney, who was elected for the Labour Party in Loddon ward, has been suspended by the party and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
- Wyre: Paul Ellison, who was elected for the Conservatives in Marsh Mill ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned Independent councillor.
New vacancies
- Canterbury: Gorrell ward, after the resignation of Green Party councillor Steven Wheeler. Term ends 2027.
- Eastleigh: Hamble and Netley ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Liz Jarvis, now Member of Parliament for Eastleigh. Term ends 2026.
- Three Rivers: Abbots Langley and Bedmond ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Sara Bedford, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats. Term ends 2026.
Dates for byelections
- Canterbury: The byelection due in Gorrell ward will be held on 6 March.
- Canterbury: The byelection due in Herne and Broomfield ward will be held on 6 March.
- Canterbury: The byelection due in St Stephens ward will be held on 6 March.
- Carmarthenshire: The byelection due in Llanddarog ward will be held on 6 March.
- Eastleigh: The byelection due in Hamble and Netley ward will be held on 6 March.
- Pendle: The byelection due in Vivary Bridge ward will be held on 6 March.
Other updates
- Torridge: On Wednesday, Len Ford (non-aligned councillor for Appledore ward) was sentenced to imprisonment for 18 weeks. If he does not successfully appeal against conviction or sentence, he will be disqualified as a councillor.
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