Two Gains for Labour in this week’s by-elections; Lib Dems lose another seat

At the risk of sounding like a broken record Labour were again celebrating gains in this week's by-elections whilst the national coalition partners struggled. Labour picked up seats in Derbyshire from an Independent and in Wakefield (Yorkshire) from the Tories whilst they enjoyed an easy hold in Southwark (London). The Conservatives made up for their loss by taking a seat off the Lib Dems in Purbeck (Dorset) and they also held a safe seat in Staffordshire.

I'll start in Derbyshire where the battle to replace the long serving Independent Councillor Bill Camm in Sawley was always going to interesting. Camm had been a Councillor at various levels for 50 years before he passed away in early May. On the available evidence the Conservatives looked like the party to beat having won five of the six District Council seats which make up this Division just nine weeks ago. However, Labour were not too far behind them and with the added incentive of cutting the Tory majority in Derbyshire to just two a close result was expected.

As it was Labour candidate Cheryl Pidgeon triumphed with a majority of 154 votes, which represents a LAB>CON swing of roughly 6% from the District elections in May. The new composition of the Council will not make life easy for the Tories and the next full elections are not due until 2013.

Derbyshire County Council
CON		LAB			LD
33	-	23	+1		8		-
Sawley
By-Election Candidate				Votes		Vote %
Cheryl Pidgeon (E)				1351		41.7%
Chris Corbett				1197		36.9%
Fiona Aanonson				692		21.4%

Labour's win in the Horbury & South Ossett, Wakefield MBC by-election was a little more comfortable than their victory in Derbyshire as they gained a seat from the Conservatives. They vacancy had arisen following the resignation of Tory Councillor Elizabeth Hick because of ill health. Hick had won a tight election in 2010 but as Labour had gained a seat in this ward two months ago they were strong favourites to add another on Thursday.

Indeed, Janet Holmes eased to victory by 715 votes, which represented a 6.5% swing from May. More importantly the CON>LAB swing from the 2008 election was 12.4% which would suggest that Labour are likely to increase their already large majority on Wakefield Council in next year's partial elections.

Horbury & South Ossett (Wakefield)
By-Election Candidate	Votes	Vote %	+/-
Janet Holmes (E)	1776	51.5%	+2.4%
Richard Wakefield	1061	30.8%	-10.6%
David Dews	232	6.7%	+6.7%
Mark Goodair	200	5.8%	-3.8%
Norman Tate	93	2.7%	+2.7%
Mark Harrop	88	2.6%	+2.6%

Whilst Wakefield Conservatives were coming to terms with their defeat their counterparts in Purbeck (Dorset) were celebrating a gain from the Liberal Democrats. The vacancy in the Lychett Matravers ward was caused by the
resignation
of Cllr. Mark Gracey, who felt the stress of being a Councillor was detrimental to his personal life. Recent results in this ward have been close and this by-election was no exception. Peter Webb secured a 5.4% swing to win this seat for the Tories by 70 votes. The District Council is now finely balanced as although the Liberal Democrats run Purbeck as a minority administration the Conservatives how hold half the seats. If the result does not lead to a change in control on the Council the Lib Dems will have to struggle on until next year's half Council elections.

Purbeck District Council
Con		LD				Ind
12	+1	10		-1		2		-
Lytchett Matravers
By-Election Candidate			Votes		Vote %		+/-
Peter Webb (E)			669		52.8%		+5.4%
John Taylor			599		47.2%		-5.4%

The other two by-elections this week were in what looked liked safe wards and neither seat changed hands. The vacancy in Churnet Valley, Staffordshire CC was caused by the death of Conservative Councillor Barrie Mycock. Mike Worthington easily held the seat for the Tories but the bigger story in this by-election was the collapse in the Liberal Democrat vote. Their vote share dropped 18% with most appearing to head to UKIP, who did not stand at the last election in 2009. The Tories have a large majority in Staffordshire and the next full Council elections are to take place in 2013.

Churnet Valley (Staffordshire)
By-Election Candidate	Votes	Vote %	+/-
Mike Worthington (E)	1063	52.0%	-1.9%
Mahfooz Ahmad	491	24.0%	+4.4%
Darren Federici	316	15.5%	+15.5%
Nicholas Brewin	173	8.5%	-18.0%

Finally, Labour enjoyed a comfortable victory in Peckham, Southwark LBC. The by-election was taking place following the death of Cllr. Tayo Situ and Labour's Chris Brown held the seat with a slightly increased majority. In contrast to the result in Staffordshire the Liberal Democrat vote held up well, limiting the LD>LAB swing to just 1.7%. The victory shores up Labour's small majority on the Council.

Southwark Council
Lab		LD			Con			Ind
33	-	25	-		3	-		1		-
Peckham
By-Election Candidate				Votes			Vote %		+/-
Chris Brown (E)				1754			70.1%		+7.7%
Jennifer Blake				554			22.1%		+4.4%
Diana Atuona				86			3.4%		-5.1%
Brian Kelly				63			2.5%		+2.5%
Jason Evers				46			1.8%		-4.3%

 

Tom Harris