Brazen gain for Reform UK

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Breckland: The byelection in Bedingfield ward held on 27 February was won by Scott Hussey. Reform UK gain from Conservative.
• East Suffolk: The byelection in Rushmere St Andrews ward held on 27 February was won by Robert Cawley. Conservative hold.
• East Suffolk: The byelection in Woodbridge ward held on 27 February was won by Ruth Leach. Liberal Democrat hold.
• Westminster: The byelection in Vincent Square ward held on 27 February was won by Martin Hayes. Conservative gain from Labour.
• Westmorland and Furness: The byelection in Eamont and Shap ward held on 27 February was won by Nicki Vecquery. Liberal Democrat hold.

Defections

• Barnsley: David White, who was elected for the Conservatives in Rockingham ward but joined Reform UK in 2023, has now left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Bradford: Marcus Dearden, who was elected for the Labour Party in Bingley ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Braintree: Ron Ramage, who was elected for the Conservatives in Witham West ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Brighton and Hove: Bruno De Oliveira, who was elected for the Labour Party in Hollingdean and Fiveways ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Buckinghamshire: Five councillors elected for the Liberal Democrats have left the group to sit as ungrouped Independents; they are Sarah James, Steven Lambert and Adam Poland-Goodyer (Aylesbury West ward), Anders Christensen (Aylesbury North West ward) and Mary Baldwin (Aylesbury South West ward). Meanwhile Paul Irwin, who was elected for the Conservatives in Stone and Waddesdon division but left the party last month, has now joined Reform UK.
• Calderdale: Daniel Sutherland, who was elected for the Labour Party in Illingworth and Mixenden ward, has joined Reform UK.
• Cambridgeshire: Kevin Reynolds, who was elected for the Conservatives in St Ives South and Needingworth division, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned Independent.
• Cornwall: Kevin Towill, who was elected for the Conservatives in Newquay Porth and Tretherras division, has joined Reform UK.
• Flintshire: Andy Hughes, who was elected as an Independent councillor for Connah’s Quay Golftyn ward and was in the True Independents group, has joined the Flintshire People’s Voice group.
• Kingston-upon-Hull: Two councillors elected as Liberal Democrats have left the party to set up an Independent group, together with former Labour turned Independent councillor Gary Wareing. The defectors are Julia Conner and Sherilee Jepmond, both of whom represent Longhill and Bilton Grange ward.
• North Somerset: Stuart Davies, who was elected as a non-party candidate in Wick St Lawrence and St Georges ward who had been a member of the Liberal Democrat and Independent group, has been removed from the group.
• Runnymede: Sam Jenkins, who was elected for the Runnymede Independent Residents Group in Egham Town ward, has joined the Conservatives.
• South Kesteven: Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, who was elected for the Conservatives in Casewick ward, but left the party in January 2023, has now joined Reform UK.
• Warwickshire: Wallace Redford, who was elected for the Conservatives in Cubbington and Leek Wootton division, has left the party to sit as an Independent county councillor.
• Wigan: Pat Draper, who was elected for the Labour Party in Douglas ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.

New vacancies

• Arun: Marine ward, after the death of Independent councillor Jim Brooks. Term ends 2027.
• Gloucestershire: Stroud Central division, after the resignation of Labour councillor David Drew. His term would have ended in May so no byelection follows.
• Haringey: St Ann’s ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Tammy Hymas. Term ends 2026.
• Redbridge: Mayfield ward, after the resignation of former Labour council leader Jas Athwal, now Member of Parliament for Ilford South. Term ends 2026.
• Stroud: Stroud Central ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor David Drew. Term ends 2028.
• Tameside: Longdendale ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Jacqueline North. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

• Neath Port Talbot: The byelection due in Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera ward will be held on 3 April.
• Redbridge: The byelection due in Mayfield ward will be held on 27 March.

Other updates

• Corporation of London: Nominations for the full Common Council election being held on 20 March have closed, with 38 out of the 100 seats being filled unopposed. There will be contests in 13 out of the 25 wards.

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