Reform resignation gets a Pert response

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Basildon: The byelection in St Martin’s ward held on 17 July was won by Sam Journet. Reform UK gain from Labour.
• Dartford: The byelection in Maypole and Leyton Cross ward held on 17 July was won by Stephen Ridley. Reform UK gain from Conservative.
• Dartford: The byelection in Stone House ward held on 17 July was won by James Buchan. Reform UK gain from Conservative.
• Denbighshire: The byelection in Prestatyn Central ward held on 17 July was won by Ben Williams. Conservative hold.
• Harborough: The byelection in Market Harborough Logan ward held on 17 July was won by Paul Bremner. Conservative gain from Liberal Democrat; this result may endanger the Liberal Democrat-led coalition administration as the Conservatives now have the same number of seats.
• Liverpool: The byelection in Sefton Park ward held on 17 July, was won by Katie Jarman. Green Party hold.
• Neath Port Talbot: The byelection in Baglan ward held on 17 July, was won by Josh Tuck. Labour hold.
• Rhondda Cynon Taf: The byelection in Pontypridd Town ward held on 17 July was won by William Rees. Plaid Cymru hold.
• Staffordshire: The byelection in Eccleshall and Gnosall held on 17 July was won by Jeremy Pert. Conservative gain from Reform UK.

Defections

• Boston: Fourteen out of the 17 members of the ruling Boston Independent group have left it, leaving only the council’s leader and one portfolio holder in office. A full council meeting on Monday will consider a motion to remove the leader and elect a replacement.
• Devon: Edward Hill, who was elected for Reform UK in Pinhoe and Mincinglake division, has been expelled from the party and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• East Riding of Yorkshire: All three councillors elected for the Yorkshire Party have joined the Green Party. They are Rick Arrand, Tim Norman, and Andy Walker, all of whom represent Bridlington South ward.
• Lambeth: Irfan Mohammed, who was elected for the Labour Party in Clapham Park ward, has been suspended from the party after criminal charges against him.
• South Kesteven: Three councillors from the Conservative group have joined Reform UK. They are David Bellamy and Ben Green (both Isaac Newton ward) and Graham Jeal (Grantham St Vincent’s ward).
• Southwark: Kath Whittam, who was elected for the Labour Party in Rotherhithe ward, has left the party over a recent leadership vote dispute, and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• Trafford: Ulrich Savary, who was elected for the Labour Party in Broadheath ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Waverley: Janet Crowe, who was elected for the Labour Party in Godalming Farncombe and Catteshall ward, has left the party and is sitting as an Independent councillor. She remains a Co-Portfolio Holder in the administration.
• West Oxfordshire: Natalie King, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Carterton North West ward, has left the party and is sitting as an Independent councillor.
• West Sussex: David Britton, who was elected for the Conservatives in Littlehampton Town division, has left the party to sit as an Independent county councillor.

New vacancies

• Camden: West Hampstead ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Shiva Tiwari, who was elected as a Labour candidate. Term ends 2026.
• Teignbridge: Kenn Valley ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Kevin Lake. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

• Broxtowe: The byelection due in Nuthall East and Strelley ward will be held on 28 August.
• Doncaster: The byelection due in Bentley ward will be held on 21 August.
• East Hampshire: The byelection due in Alton Amery ward will be held on 21 August.
• Gwynedd: The byelection due in Abermaw division will be held on 21 August.
• Highland: The byelection due in Tain and Easter Ross ward will be held on 25 September.
• Runnymede: The byelection for two seats due in Addlestone South ward will be held on 21 August.
• Surrey: The byelection due in Addlestone division will be held on 21 August.
• Surrey: The byelection due in Hinchley Wood, Claygate and Oxshott division will be held on 21 August.

Other updates

• Croydon: The government has now formally appointed Commissioners to help run the council.
• Plymouth: The referendum on establishing a directly-elected Mayor held on 17 July resulted in a majority vote to retain the Leader and Cabinet system.

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