This month saw 33,925 votes cast in 16 local authority contests. All percentages are rounded to the nearest single decimal place. 11 council seats changed hands. For comparison with July's results, see here.
Party
|
Number of Candidates
|
Total Vote
|
%
|
+/- Jul
|
+/- Aug 25
|
Avge/
Contest |
+/-
Seats |
Conservative
| 16
| 4,844 |
14.3%
| -4.6 | +0.3
| 303
| -4
|
Labour
| 16
| 8,433 | 24.9%
| +10.3 | +3.8
| 527
| -1
|
Lib Dem
| 14
| 5,098
|
15.0%
| -0.8 | -0.4
| 364
| +3
|
Reform
| 16
| 9,663
|
28.5%
| +4.6 | +2.7
| 604
| 0
|
Green
| 12
| 3,467
|
10.2%
| -1.4
| +1.6
| 289
| +2
|
SNP*
| 0
| 0
| |||||
PC**
| 1
| 509 | 1.5%
| -2.5 | -1.7
| 509
| 0
|
Ind***
| 10
| 886 | 2.6%
| -3.9
| 87
| 0
| |
Other****
| 3
| 3.0%
| +0.9 | +1.0
| 342
| 0 |
* There were no by-elections in Scotland
** There was one by-election in Wales
*** There were three Independent clashes
**** Others in August were Nottingham People's Alliance (523), Restore (284, 218)
It's been a good run, but it had to come to an end at some point. Reform's streak of winning the monthly by-elections tallies is over. They came out on top in popular vote terms, and yet they returned a net gain of zero seats. Beaten by the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, who brought in three and two victories respectively. And yes, the vote share is up on July but the Burnham bounce has certainly fed through with Labour's vote resurgent. And, for once, the government aren't the local council by-election whipping boy. It's the Tories who have the glum faces in August. If you pay attention to the media chatter, there is talk about a "Tory recovery" but there's little evidence of it here, or in voting intention polls. It's almmost as if, recoiling from the monsters to the right of the Conservatives, that sundry scribblers are trying to will a comeback for them into being.
Next month? There are 20 by-elections to watch, and Reform might breathe a sigh of relief - no defences for them, so chances are they'll come out on top. With all the other parties defending seats, September will be a good test of whether Nigel Farage's long march through local government has been halted.
6th August
Caerphilly, Hengoed, PC hold
King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Heacham, Ref gain from Con
King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Snettisham, Ref gain from Con
Reigate, Hooley, Merstham & Netherne, Grn gain from Con
South Tyneside, Harton, Ref hold
13th August
East Devon, Honiton St Michael's, LDem gain from Lab
Kirklees, Almondbury, LDem gain from Ref
20th August
Barnsley, Penistone East, Lab gain from Ref
Cumberland, Harraby South, Ref gain from Lab
Huntingdonshire, St Neots Eynesbury, LDem gain from Ref
Nottingham, Leen Valley, Lab hold
27th August
Dover, Guston, Kingsdown & St Margaret's-at-Cliffe, Grn gain from Con
Newcastle upon Tyne, Throckley, Walbottle & Newburn, Ref hold
Sheffield, Southey, Ref gain from Lab
St Helens, Billinge & Seneley Green, Lab gain from Ref
Wandsworth, Trinity, Lab hold
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