Posted by David Boothroyd View David's blog
2 months ago / January 9, 2026
The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.
Results
None this week.
Defections
Amber Valley: The two members of the Amber Valley Independents group have joined Advance UK. They are Steven Bower (Heanor West and Loscoe ward) who was elected for the Labour Party, and Philip Rose (Ironville and Riddings) who was elected as an Independent.
Conwy: Angie O’Grady, who was elected for the Labour Party in Tudno division, has joined the Conwy First Independent Group. Meanwhile two former Conwy First Independents have formed the Conwy County Independent Group. They are Sian Grady (Conwy division) and Goronwy Edwards (Caerhun), who left the group in July.
Epsom and Ewell: Shanice Goldman, who was elected for the Residents’ Associations in Nonsuch ward but left the group in December, has now joined the Conservatives.
Huntingdonshire: Two councillors have joined the Liberal Democrats. They are Catherine Gleadow who was elected for Labour in St Ives South ward, and Sally Howell, who was elected as an Independent in Yaxley ward.
Runnymede: Carl Mann, who was elected as an Independent in Ottershaw ward, has joined Reform UK.
Tendring: Richard Everett, who was elected for the Conservatives in Frinton ward but joined Reform UK in June 2024, has now left Reform UK to sit as an ungrouped councillor.
Welwyn Hatfield: Lucy Musk, who was elected for the Labour Party in Haldens ward, has joined the Green Party.
New vacancies
Merton: Cannon Hill ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Jenifer Gould. Her term would have ended in May so no byelection follows.
North Devon: Fremington ward, after the death of Independent councillor Neil Denton. Term ends 2027.
Pembrokeshire: Milford Hakin ward, after the death of non-affiliated councillor Mike Stoddart. Term ends 2027.
Peterborough: Fletton and Woodston ward, after the death of Labour councillor Alan Dowson. As his term was due to end in May, he will not be replaced in a byelection.
Sevenoaks: Halstead, Knockholt and Badgers Mount ward, after the death of Conservative councillor Gary Williamson. Term ends 2027.
Southampton: Shirley ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor George Percival. Term ends 2027.
Dates for byelections
Bradford: The byelection due in Worth Valley ward will be held on 12 February.
Isle of Anglesey: The byelection due in Ynys Gybi ward will be held on 5 February.
North Somerset: The byelection due in Clevedon South ward will be held on 5 February, not 12 February as previously notified.
Peterborough: The byelection due in Fletton and Woodston ward will be held on 12 February.