Conservative winds shake the Barleythorpe

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Bromley: The byelection in Bromley Common and Holwood ward held on 24 July was won by Alan Cook. Reform UK gain from an Independent elected for the Conservatives.
• Cardiff: The byelection in Llanrumney ward held on 24 July was won by Lexi Pocknell. Labour hold.
• Dacorum: The byelection in Berkhamsted West ward held on 24 July was won by Will Jankowksi. Liberal Democrat hold.
• Dorset: The byelection in Swanage ward held on 24 July was won by Chris Tomes. Conservative hold.
• Hertsmere: The byelection in Borehamwood Brookmeadow ward held on 24 July was won by Glenn Briski. Conservative hold.
• Lichfield: The byelection in Alrewas and Fradley ward held on 24 July, was won by Richard Stevenson. The Conservatives regain a seat lost through defection of the previous councillor.
• Rutland: The byelection in Barleythorpe ward held on 24 July, was won by Andrew Dinsmore. Conservative gain from Green Party.

Defections

• Boston: The 14 councillors who left the Boston Independents group last week have now formed the Progressive Independents Boston group. Meanwhile Anton Dani who was elected for the Conservatives in Fenside ward has left the group to sit as a non-aligned councillor.
• Conwy: Two Conservative councillors have joined Reform UK. They are Louise Emery (Gogarth Mostyn division) and Tom Montgomery (Tudno division).
• East Devon: Aurora Bailey, who was elected for the Conservatives in Exmouth Brixington ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Elmbridge: Kevin Whincup, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Molesey East ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Hammersmith and Fulham: Two Labour councillors have joined the Green Party. They are Trey Campbell-Simon (Walham Green ward) and Liz Collins (Ravenscourt ward).
• Kirklees: Tanisha Bramwell, who was elected as an Independent councillor for Dewsbury West, has left the Community Alliance group to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Portsmouth: Two councillors from the Portsmouth Independents Party have joined Reform UK. They are George Madgwick (Paulsgrove ward) and Raymond Dent (Copnor ward).
• Rochdale: John Taylor, who was elected for the Conservatives in Wardle Shore and West Littleborough ward but left the party last year, has joined Reform UK.
• Rother: Beverley Coupar, who was elected as an Independent councillor for Sedlescombe and Westfield ward, has joined the Liberal Democrat group.
• Rushmoor: Abe Allen, who was elected for the Labour Party in Fernhill ward, has left the party and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• Spelthorne: Denise Saliagopoulos, who was elected for the Conservatives in Riverside and Laleham ward but left the party in February, has now returned; she had been sitting as an Independent within the Conservative group.
• Test Valley: Katie Brooks, who was elected for the Conservatives in Andover Romans ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Wandsworth: Nick Austin, who was elected for the Conservatives in West Putney ward, has been suspended from the group and is sitting as an Independent councillor.

New vacancies

• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: Talbot and Branksome Woods ward, after the impending resignation of Conservative councillor Phil Broadhead, who is moving to Dubai. Term ends 2027.
• Central Bedfordshire: Stotfold ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Helen Wightwick. Term ends 2027.
• Warwick: Leamington Clarendon ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Helen Adkins. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

• Camden: The byelection due in West Hampstead ward will be held on 28 August.
• Central Bedfordshire: The byelection due in Stotfold ward will be held on 11 September.

Other updates

• Boston: Following the decision of 14 out of 17 councillors to leave the ruling Boston Independents group and form the Progressive Independents Boston group, the council leader has been removed and replaced by a coalition of the Progressive Independents Boston, 20-20 Independent, and Conservative groups.

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