Lib Dems and Greens make gains
There are another two Green gains from the Conservatives to report, bringing the total to 14 seats captured over the past year in by-elections.
Professors Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher
Going to the polls
This year’s local elections in England and Wales encompass 5,600 seats in 168 councils. Labour is defending the largest number in both countries.
No history of success
The Green Party continues to succeed in some Conservative-supporting areas, despite little or no former presence.
Against the run of play
This month’s set of by-elections includes a first, and two potential ‘last hurrahs’.
Looking ahead to May
It would be wise not to read too much into the results of the small number of contests held during the Christmas holiday period.
‘Partygate’ impacts on local by-elections
It was all going reasonably smoothly for local Conservative candidates.
A disparate set of results
There were some fascinating stories, but no clear electoral trends emerged from this latest, large and disparate set of by-elections.
Some notable successes
Three Green party gains from Conservative just days apart represent a notable success.
Sterner tests ahead
It has been a long time since the Conservative party has endured so many defeats in council by-elections.
Personalities and parties
As if to emphasise that local elections are about personalities as much as parties, former councillors played a notable role in three recent contests.