This month saw 35,410 votes cast in 17 local authority contests. All percentages are rounded to the nearest single decimal place. 11 council seats changed hands. For comparison with August's results, see here.
Party
|
Number of Candidates
|
Total Vote
|
%
|
+/- Aug
|
+/- Sep 24
|
Avge/
Contest |
+/-
Seats |
Conservative
|
17
| 5,409 |
15.3%
| +1,3 |
-7.7
|
318
|
-1
|
Labour
|
16
| 5,113 |
14.4%
| -6.7 |
-14.3
| 320
|
-7
|
Lib Dem
|
15
| 5,752
|
16.2%
| +0.8 |
+0.6
|
383
|
+2
|
Reform
|
17
| 9,181
|
25.9%
| +0.1 |
+20.8
|
540
| +6
|
Green
|
15
| 4,860
|
13.7%
| +5.1
|
+1.8
|
324
|
0
|
SNP*
|
2
| 563 |
1.6%
| -1.7 |
-2.8
| 282
|
-1
|
PC**
|
2
| 880 |
2.5%
| -0.8 |
+2.3
| 440
|
0
|
Ind***
|
8
| 3,374 |
9.5%
|
-0.6
|
422
|
+2
| |
Other****
|
2
|
0.8%
| -1.2 |
-0.2
|
139
|
-1 |
* There were two by-elections in Scotland
** There were two by-elections in Wales
*** There was one independent clash this month
**** Others in September consisted of Propel (63) and Residents of Wilmslow (215)
Another month, another crushing victory for Reform. The electorate are shaking off Labour councillors like fleas, to borrow a phrase. Reform only has to appear on the ballot paper and support for the government evaporates. You can understand why naive types might think Reform poses a threat to Labour particularly. But again, though Keir Starmer is overseeing the dispersal of Labour's coalition - a process he embarked on shortly after becoming leader - Reform tend to poll better among older voters, and as we've seen in the past this group is more likely to turn out and vote at council by-elections, as well as other types of election. So these figures do flatter Reform somewhat and cast Labour into deeper shadow than might be the case.
Still, an appalling set of results for the two main parties. A phrase we might not get to use for much longer. The Liberal Democrats are polling in and around their usual levels, and if memory serves this is the joint highest by-elections vote share enjoyed by the Greens. The Polanski bounce in effect, you might say.
There are over 30 by-elections scheduled for October, so it's going to be a busy month. Can the Tories and Labour defend their position for once? Will the Lib Dems and Greens make up moe ground? Or, fittingly for Hallowe'en month, will Farage be sitting pretty by the end?
4 September
Luton, Stopsley, LDem hold
11 September
Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, Talbot & Branksome, LDem gain from Con
Central Bedfordshire, Stotfold, Ref gain from Lab
Cheshire East, Wilmslow Lacey Green, Con gain from Oth
Vale of Glamorgan, Illtyd, Ref gain from Lab
Walsall, Pelsall, Ref gain from Con
West Suffolk, Newmarket East, Ref gain from Lab
18 September
Brighton & Hove, Queen's Park, Grn gain from Lab
Cardiff, Trowbridge, Ref gain from Lab
Newham, Plaistow South, Ind gain from Lab
Warwick, Kenilworth Park Hill, Grn hold
Warwick, Leamington Clarendon, Lab hold
24 September
Breckland, Thetford Castle, Ref gain from Lab
25 September
Ashford, Rolvenden & Tenterden West, Grn hold
Highland, Caol & Mallaig, Ind gain from Grn
Highland, Tain & Easter Ross, LDem gain from SNP
Manchester, Woodhouse Park, Grn hold
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