Against the run of play
This month’s set of by-elections includes a first, and two potential ‘last hurrahs’.
local by-elections
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.
Salvaging some pride
Congratulations to Labour’s Jake Bonetta, aged just 18 years, who achieved a famous victory in East Devon’s Honiton St Michael’s ward. In so doing, he salvaged some pride for his party.
The return of the casual vacancy
Council by-elections resumed for English authorities on 6 May, with more than 350 vacancies filled.
A game of two halves
To borrow a cliché from sports commentary, this year’s local elections can be interpreted as a ‘game of two halves’.