Council by-elections

There were six council by-elections yesterday. Labour had a good night, winning seats in split wards in marginal Dartford (Kent) and Gedling (Nottinghamshire). There were some very strong UKIP performances, with results near to 30% in  areas as diverse as the Dartford ward and Sunderland.

Stone Ward, Dartford BC.  Lab hold. Lab 426 (37.7%, -3.8), Con 397 (35.1%, -11.1), UKIP 307 (27.2%, +27.2). Swing of 3.7% from Con to Lab since 2011. Impressive result for Labour given this was a split ward with both Tory and Labour councillors in 2011.

Kilmarnock North Ward, East Ayrshire UA. SNP hold. First preference votes: SNP 1334 (45.1%, -7.6), Lab 1130 (38.2%, +2.6), Con 430 (14.6%, +2.9), Green 61 (2.1%, +2.1). Swing of 5.1% from SNP to Lab since 2012.

St John’s Ward, Fylde DC. Ratepayers hold. Ratepayers 804 (65.7%, +28.6), Con 205 (16.7%, -23.9), UKIP 100 (8.2%, +8.2), LD 62 (5.1%, -17.3), Green 53 (4.3%, +4.3). Swing of 26.3% from Con to Ratepayers since 2011. 

Gedling Ward, Gedling BC. Lab gain from LD. Lab 482 (32.6%, -1.8), LD 428 (28.9%, -2.7), UKIP 337 (22.8%, +22.8), Con 233 (15.7%, -12.6). Swing of 0.5% from LD to Lab since 2011.

Chalgrove & Watlington Division, Oxfordshire CC. Con hold. Con 871 (41.8, -16), LD 629 (30.2%, +12.4), UKIP 311(14.9%, +3), Lab 159 (7.6%, -5), Green 116 (5.6%, +5.6). Swing of 14.2% from Con to LD since 2013.

St Anne’s Ward, Sunderland MBC. Lab hold. Lab 945 (48.1%, -24), UKIP 555 (28.2%, +28.2), Con 345 (17.6%, +3.6), Green 120 (6.1%, -5). Swing of 26.1% from Lab to UKIP since 2012.