Local Council By-Elections June 2017

This month 18,263 votes were cast over nine local authority (tier one and tier two) contests. All percentages are rounded to the nearest single decimal place. Three council seats changed hands in total. For comparison with May's results, see here.

0.6%Party	Number of Candidates	Total Vote	%	+/-  May	+/- June 16	Average/ Contest	+/- Seats
Conservative	7	3,683	20.2%	-20.8%	-4.3%	526	0
Labour	8	7,114	39.0%	+11.3%	+14.8%	889	0
LibDem	5	1,974	10.8%	-8.3%	-6.5%	395	0
UKIP	1	14	0.1%	-3.8%	-12.3%	14	0
Green	4	3,154	17.3%	+13.2%	+9.1%	789	0
SNP*	0						0
PC**	1	101	0.6%	+0.6%	-0.7%	101	0
Ind***	4	885	4.8%	+1.8%	-3.1%	221	-1
Other****	2	1,338	7.3%	+6.1%	+7.0%	669	+1

* There were no by-elections in Scotland this month
** There was one by-election in Wales
*** There was one Independent clash
**** Other this month consisted of  Our West Lancashire (705), and Seaham Community (633)

A quiet month but a very interesting month. I would love to read something into the collapse of the Tory vote and the significant increase in Labour's, a turn around indicative of the complete change in politics since last month's tally of by-elections, but we shall have to await further results before suggesting anything firm. Though I would venture that local by-elections will from now on mirror the wider trend away from the Tories and toward Labour.

Just a quick note and congratulations to the Greens on their best ever by-election performance. The first time they have come third too! However, the bulk of the spadework was done in this month's by-election in Sheffield where the Labour council's decision to fell a number of trees originally planted by the city's labour movement has stirred up passions, so not surprised to see the Greens monopolise electoral opposition to what seems like a pretty daft decision.

Also, allow me to note the monthly vote tally for UKIP. They're pretty much done.