Local Council By-Elections November 2017

This month saw 49,566 votes cast over 36 local authority (tier one and tier two) contests. All percentages are rounded to the nearest single decimal place. 10 council seats changed hands in total. For comparison with October's results, see here.

Party	Number of Candidates	Total Vote	%	+/-  Oct	+/- Nov 16	Average/ Contest	+/- Seats
Conservative	35	18,095	36.5%	+6.2%	-1.8%	517	-4
Labour	31	11,971	24.2%	-18.6%	-2.4%	386	-2
LibDem	30	12,397	25.0%	+13.7%	+7.6%	413	+7
UKIP	9	880	1.8%	-2.0%	-2.8%	98	-2
Green	16	2,127	4.3%	+2.3%	+1.9%	133	+1
SNP	2	2,616	5.3%	+3.1%	-0.9%	1,308	0
PC**	1	525	1.1%	+1.1%	-1.8%	525	0
Ind***	9	768	1.6%	-4.4%	+0.5%	85	0
Other****	2	187	0.4%	-1.2%	+0.0%	94	0

* There were two by-elections in Scotland
** There were two by-elections in Wales
*** There were two Independent clashes
**** Others this month consisted of the English Democrats (31), and Yorkshire Party (156)

Party like it's 2016! At least if you're a Liberal Democrat, because these are the weirdest ass results we've seen for a long time. This month's ward splits are responsible for the LibDems edging Labour out in the popular vote, so I'm afraid those hoping it will be a trend are going to be disappointed. The polarisation we're seeing in the polls is now a stubborn fact of political life, and is going to remain so unless Jeremy Corbyn is caught with several million stashed in an offshore account, or Theresa May decides to cancel Brexit. Nevertheless, a gain of seven councillors is no mean feat, so plenty of self-congratulatory back-slapping for the LibDems. It probably isn't going to repeat.

In other news, it's annoying to see Labour duck out of five by-election contests. The Tories, who probably now have fewer members than the SNP somehow manage to find someone to stand. For Labour to not with its humongous membership defies belief. Sort it out, please.

Any predictions for next month? Nope. December is normally quiet and there are only three scheduled that I'm aware of. We'll soon see what electoral gifts Santa is going to deliver some lucky candidates.

2nd November
Arun council, West Sussex, Lib gain from Con
Beaconsfield CC, Con hold
Beaconsfield North, South Bucks BC, Con hold
Braunton East, North Devon, Lib gain from Con
Copeland Egremont South, Lab hold
Sefton Duke's, Lib gain from Con

9th November
Camden, Gospel Oak, Lab hold
Fareham, Stubbington, Lib gain from UKIP
Flintshire, Buckley Bistre West, Lab hold
Limestone Peak, High Peak, Con hold
Wandsworth, Thamesfield, Con hold

16th November
Chiltern DC, Penn & Coleshill, Con hold
City of London Bishopgate, Ind gain from Ind
Darlington BC Mowden, Con hold
Darlington BC, Red Hall & Lingfield, Lab hold
Eden DC , Penrith North, Lib hold
Fylde BC Staining & Weeton, Con hold
Hartlepool BC Victoria, Lab hold
South Holland DC, Whaplode & Holbeach St Johns, Con hold
Waveney DC, Kirkley Lab hold
Waveney DC , St Margaret, Con gain from Lab
West Lindsey DC, Sudbrooke, Con hold

23rd November
Bishops Frome and Cradley, Grn gain from Con
Bryncoch South, Plaid hold
Chalford, Con hold
Eyres Monsell, Lab hold
Grumbolds Ash with Avening, Con hold
Parkfield and Oxbridge, Lab hold
Perth and Kinross, Perth City South, Con hold
Rutherglen Central and North, Lab hold
St Margaret's-at-Cliffe, Con hold
Wakefield West, Lab hold

30th November
Gosport,  Bridgemary North, Lib gain from Lab
Maidstone BC North, Lib gain from Con
Tandridge, Westway Lib hold
Torrington, Lib gain from UKIP