Halifax banks on Reform

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Calderdale: The byelection in Skircoat ward held on 8 May was won by Paul Hawkaluk. Reform UK gain from Labour.
• Eastleigh: The byelection in Eastleigh Central ward held on 8 May was won by Mark Harding. Liberal Democrat hold.

Defections

• Aberdeenshire: John Crawley, who was elected for the Conservatives in Ellon and District ward, has joined Reform UK.
• Arun: Stephen McAuliffe, who was elected for the Green Party in Arundel and Walberton ward, has left the party to sit as an ungrouped Independent councillor.
• Blaby: Maggie Wright, who was elected for the Conservatives in Fosse Normanton ward, has left the group to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Buckinghamshire: Robin Stuchbury, who was elected for the Labour Party in Buckingham ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Burnley: Charlie Briggs, who was elected for the Burnley and Padiham Independent Party in Gannow ward before joining and then leaving the Labour Party, has now rejoined the Liberal Democrats.
• Central Bedfordshire: Patrick Hamill, who was elected as an Independent councillor for Houghton Regis East ward and had been in the Independent Alliance group, has joined Reform UK.
• Cumberland: Helen Tucker, who was elected for the Labour Party in Cockermouth North ward, has joined the Green party.
• Derbyshire Dales: Two councillors have left the Conservative group. Gareth Gee (Bakewell ward) and Nigel Edwards-Walker (Dovedale, Parwich and Brassington ward) have formed a Derbyshire First group.
• Dover: Derek Murphy, who was elected for the Conservatives in Walmer ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned councillor.
• Elmbridge: Pippa Graeme, who was elected for Weybridge St George’s Hill Independents in Weybridge St George’s Hill ward, has joined the Liberal Democrats.
• Fife: Robin Lawson, who was elected for the Conservatives in St Andrews ward, has joined Reform UK.
• Hartlepool: Tom Feeney, who was elected for the Labour Party in Rossmere ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor. Meanwhile Rob Darby, who was elected for the Conservatives in Hart ward, has joined Reform UK.
• Hertsmere: Alpha Bird Collins, who was elected for the Labour Party in Borehamwood Hillside ward, has left the party. He and the other two recent defectors (Graeme Alexander from Labour, and Marc Amron from the Liberal Democrats) have formed the Hertsmere First Group.
• Newcastle upon Tyne: The six councillors who left the Labour group in November 2024 have now formed the ‘East End and Associates Independent Group’.
• North Kesteven: Robert Oates, who was elected as an Independent in Sleaford Holdingham ward and had been a member of the Lincolnshire Independents, has joined the Conservatives.
• Peterborough: Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, who was elected for the Labour Party in Fletton and Woodston ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Plymouth: Dylan Tippetts, who was elected for the Labour Party in Compton ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor. It is also noted that Carol Ney (Southway ward) has left the Labour group.
• Shropshire: Donna Edmunds, who was elected for Reform UK in Hodnet division, has left the party after being suspended from membership.
• South Ayrshire: Three councillors have left the Conservative group to sit as Independents. They are Iain Campbell (Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton ward), Gavin Scott (Girvan and South Carrick ward), and Mary Kilpatrick (Ayr East ward). Their move may endanger the Conservative administration.
• Thanet: Barry Manners, who was elected for the Conservatives in Cliftonville East ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Walsall: Stacie Elson, who was elected for the Conservatives in Willenhall North ward, has left the party group to sit as a non-party councillor.
• Warwickshire: Luke Shingler, who was elected for Reform UK in Galley Common division, has left the group to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Welwyn Hatfield: Larry Crofton, who was elected for the Labour Party in Hatfield East ward, has joined the Green Party. Meanwhile Sunny Thusu, who was elected for the Conservatives in Welwyn West ward but left the group in January, has now returned.
• Wirral: Three councillors elected as Conservatives have left the party to form an Independent Conservative group. They are Graham Davies, Andrew Hodson and Kathy Hodson, who all represent Heswall ward.
• Wyre: Wayne Martin, who was elected for the Labour Party in Jubilee ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent Socialist councillor.

New vacancies

• Denbighshire: Prestatyn Central ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Hugh Irving. Term ends 2027.
• Nottinghamshire: Newark West division, after the resignation of Reform UK county councillor Des Clarke. Term ends 2029.
• Rother: Catsfield and Crowhurst ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Chas Pearce. Term ends 2027.
• Sheffield: Stocksbridge and Upper Don ward, after the resignation of Sheffield Community Councillor group member Julie Grocutt, who was elected for the Labour Party. Term ends 2027.
• Spelthorne: Ashford Town ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Olivia Rybinski. Term ends 2027.
• Stevenage: Bedwell ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Conor McGrath, who was elected for the Labour Party. Term ends 2028.
• Vale of White Horse: Stanford ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Sue Caul. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

• North Northamptonshire: The election in Higham Ferrers ward which was postponed from 1 May after the death of a candidate, will be held on 12 June.
• North Yorkshire: The byelection due in Eastfield ward will be held on 19 June.
• Nottinghamshire: The election in Mansfield North division which was postponed from 1 May after the death of a candidate, will be held on 12 June.
• Stevenage: The byelection due in Bedwell ward will be held on 26 June.
• Stroud: The byelection due in Severn ward will be held on Wednesday 11 June.

Other updates

• Spelthorne: The Secretary of State has confirmed that Commissioners have been appointed to direct the council.
• Suffolk: We erroneously reported a vacant seat in Belstead Brook division last week. Reform UK councillor Christopher Hudson remains in post.

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