Local Council By-Elections December 2019

This month saw 167,280 votes cast over 36 local authority (tier one and tier two) contests. All percentages are rounded to the nearest single decimal place. Four council seats changed hands. For comparison with November's results, see here.

Party	Number of Candidates	Total Vote	%	+/-  Nov	+/- Dec 18	Avge/ Contest	+/- Seats
Conservative	33	69,524	41.6%	+10.7%	+18.0%	2,106	+3
Labour	33	61,642	36.8%	+23.7%	+6.6%	1,868	-1
LibDem	32	18,575	11.1%	-7.6%	-7.4%	580	0
UKIP	0						0
Green	19	11,817	7.1%	+0.1%	+2.0%	622	0
SNP	0						0
PC**	1	331	0.2%	-1.4%	+0.2%	331	-1
Ind***	14	4,001	2.4%	-8.7%	-7.9%	286	-1
Other****	6	1,390	0.8%	-0.9%	-2.3%	232	0

* There were no by-elections in Scotland
** There were two by-elections in Wales
*** There were three Independent clashes
**** Others this month consisted of Blue Revolution (62), For Britain (245), Liberal Party (420, 108), Women's Equality Party (287, 268)

General election time means a bumper month for by-elections, and December proved no different with huge turnouts for contests that are normally a minority interest. And following the election proper, we see the reassertion - with a vengeance - of two-party dominance. The run of the LibDems pushing Labour into third place in popular vote terms has come to a sudden stop. Also worthwhile noting is how the Green average manage to surpass the LibDem average too. A fluke, or a portent of shifting tectonics in their party land (don't worry politics watchers, there will be a piece on the LibDems' election eventually).

As per the actual election and seeing the number of Tory defences up this month, I thought this was going to be a rout for Labour in vote terms and in seats. And, well, it was nothing of the sort. A small consolation then for Labour supporters and, overall, perhaps an indicator of a return to normal now that the election has settled the Brexit issue. For the time being.


5th December
Rhondda Cynon Taf UA, Ynyshir, Lab gain from PC

12th December
Boston DC, Kirton and Frampton, Con hold
Boston DC, Skirbeck, Con hold
Bury MBC, Church, Con hold
Camden LB, Haverstock, Lab hold
Corby BC, Weldon and Gretton, Con hold
Dover DC; Guston, Kingsdown and St Margarets-at-Cliffe, Con hold
East Northamptonshire DC, Higham Ferrers Chichele, Con hold
East Northamptonshire DC, Higham Ferrers Lancaster, Con hold
Exeter CC, Topsham, Con hold
Flintshire UA, Trelawnyd and Gwaenysgor, Con hold
Hackney LB, Clissold, Lab hold
Horsham DC, Storrington and Washington, Con hold
Hounslow LB, Feltham North, Con gain from Lab
Hounslow LB, Heston West, Lab hold
Huntingdonshire DC, Alconbury, Con hold
Isle of Wight UA, Newport West, Con hold
Islington LB, St George’s, Lab hold
Kettering DC, Desborough St Giles, Con hold
Kings Lynn and West Norfolk DC, Upwell and Delph, Con gain from Ind
Kirklees MBC, Colne Valley, Con gain from Lab
Kirklees MBC, Dewsbury East, Lab hold
Lancaster DC, Overton, Con hold
Leeds MBC, Wetherby, Con hold
Leicestershire CC, Cosby and Countesthorpe, Con hold
Lincoln DC, Witham, Con hold
Liverpool MBC, Clubmoor, Lab hold
Liverpool MBC, Picton, Lab hold
Newcastle Under Lyme DC, Holditch and Chesterton, Lab hold
Reading UA, Kentwood, Con hold
Salford MBC, Pendlebury, Lab hold
Staffordshire CC, Watling South, Con hold
Tameside MBC, Denton West, Lab hold
Tamworth DC, Mercia, Con hold
Warwick DC, Warwick Myton and Heathcote, Con hold
Worthing DC, Salvington, Con hold