Local Council By-Elections November 2018

This month saw 46,377 votes cast over 22 local authority (tier one and tier two) contests. All percentages are rounded to the nearest single decimal place. Just two council seats changed hands in total. For comparison with October's results, see here.

Party	Number of Candidates	Total Vote	%	+/-  Oct	+/- Nov 17	Average/ Contest	+/- Seats
Conservative	22	17,189	37.1%	+4.2%	+0.6%	781	-1
Labour	22	15,975	34.4%	+6.6%	+10.2%	726	+1
LibDem	22	9,410	20.3%	+0.0%	-4.7%	423	+1
UKIP	5	572	1.2%	-1.9%	-0.6%	114	0
Green	14	1,572	3.4%	-1.8%	-0.9%	112	0
SNP	0						0
PC**	0						0
Ind***	5	1,030	2.2%	-4.2%	+0.6%	206	0
Other****	5	809	1.7%	+1.1%	+1.3%	162	-1

* There were no by-elections in Scotland
** There were no by-election in Wales
*** There were no Independent clashes
**** This month's Others consisted of Harlow Alliance Party (99, 63) NFPP (223), Women's Equality Party (79), Stratford First (345)

As by-election tallies go, this has to be the most boring for some time. Only two seats exchanged hands, but seeing as one of the beneficiaries was Labour there won't be any complaints from me. Though it is something of a first. I don't think there has been another occasion where the main three parties of the England/Wales party system have managed to contest all seats. The Tories, as we know, nearly always manage to stand everywhere despite have an organisation that's dropping to bits. By contrast, Labour and the LibDems are, party member-wise, in rude health and now have the numbers on paper to stand everywhere. Will we see more of this next month?

Nothing more to add, really. Tories topped out the popular vote thanks to differential turn outs for council by-elections and the LibDems look like they're topping out with a fifth of support. Is Santa going to bring us a more interesting December, by-election wise?


1st November
Kirklees MB, Denby Dale Lab gain from Con
Newham LB, Boleyn Lab hold
South Gloucestershire UA, Dodington LDem hold

8th November
Ealing LB, Dormers Wells Lab
Harlow DC, Bush Fair Lab hold
Harlow DC, Netteswell Lab hold
Torridge DC, Holsworth Con hold

15th November
Bassetlaw DC, East Retford West Lab hold
Kent CC, Canterbury North Con hold
Oxford CC, Grove and Wantage LDem hold
Stroud DC, Dursley Lab hold

22nd November
Enfield LB, Bush Hill Park Con hold
Westminster LB, Lancaster Gate Con hold
Windsor and Maidenhead UA, Dachet Con hold
Wirral MB, Upton Lab hold

29th November
Bromley LB, Kelsey & Eden Park Con hold
Buckinghamshire CC, Aylesbury North West LDem hold
Northampton BC, Delapre & Briar Hill Lab hold
Oldham MB, Failsworth East Lab hold
Oxfordshire CC, Wheatley LDem hold
Warwickshire CC, Stratford North LDem gain from Oth
Welwyn and Hatfield BC, West Welwyn Con hold