Today’s Independent reports on a mixed bag of local by-election results around the country. The Lib Dems have seen support dwindle but to less extent than the national polls might suggest. A notable win however was by the Tories in Sedgemoor District, Somerset who took a seat from Labour a few days after Ed Miliband’s accession.
Swansea’s Conservatives are also talking up their chances of pinching a seat off the Lib Dems in a by-election later this month. The nominations for Newton Ward can be found here.
Interestingly, all four main parties are contesting plus an independent who, until lately, has been a vocal supporter of the ruling coalition at Calamity Hall. We should explain that the usual pattern is for a non-agression deal with Lib Dems and Independents fighting only selected seats but covering all city wards between them.
From what we hear, campaigning has been distinctly low-key. One activist has been heard to describe the absence of leaflets and door-knocking as the lull before the apathy.
For those interested, the UK results mentioned earlier are listed below:
Durham County - Brandon: Lab hold. Swing 6.5% Lib Dem to Lab.
Gwynedd UA - Bowydd a Rhiw: Plaid Cymru gain from Voice of Gwynedd.
North Tyneside Borough - Battle Hill: Lab hold. Swing 8.3% Lib Dem to Lab.
Sedgemoor District - Woolavington: Con gain from Lab. Swing 11.6% Lab to C.
Scarborough Borough - Lib Dem hold. Swing 19.2% Lib Dem to Lab.
Tameside Borough - Longdendale: Lab hold. Swing 0.8% C to Lab.
1 Comments:
I think that the by-elections since the General Elections has shown a trend against the Lib-Dems with a general swing which must worry them. Whatever you say about them they are better organised than any other party. Probably because they seek to build a power base in local government and often perform much better than thier position in opinion polls.
They own website http://www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/byelections/ provides a accurate and weekly summary of all local byelections and it does look that they are loosing votes.
Another site worth looking at is http://www.indigopublicaffairs.com/index.php?page=blog
which provides not only information on results but defections and resignations and if you have an interest in such thing is worth a weekly look
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