Six by-elections this week, five of which were Conservative defences. In a somewhat uneventful night the Tories held all five, albeit with mostly reduced vote shares. The appearance of new parties in those wards contributed to the decline in their vote, with the exception of Aveland in Lincolnshire. That seat was not contested at all in 2019 as the Conservative candidate was elected unopposed.
A free-for-all in County Durham was triggered by the death of an independent councillor. Labour took that seat with some ease, despite a crowded field of newcomers.
St Peter's, Castle Point Borough Council
Con: 502 (44.9%) -30.3%
Ind: 439 (39.2%) New
Lab: 178 (15.9%) -8.9%
Con HOLD
Ferryhill, Durham County Council
Lab: 876 (41.3%) +6.4%
Ind: 528 (24.9%) New
Con: 348 (16.4%) -11.9%
Ind: 166 (7.8%) New
Grn: 165 (7.8%) New
Freedom: 28 (1.3%) New
LDem: 9 (0.4%) New
Lab GAIN from Ind
Colsterworth Rural, Lincolnshire County Council
Con: 986 (59.6%) -17.1%
LDem: 277 (16.8%) New
Lab: 269 (16.3%) -6.9%
Grn: 121 (7.3%) New
Con HOLD
Wickham Bishops & Woodham, Maldon District Council
Con: 361 (54.0%) -10.6%
Ind: 161 (24.1%) +3.0%
LDem: 80 (12.0%) New
Lab: 66 (9.9%) -4.4%
Con HOLD
Aveland, South Kesteven District Council
Con: 373 (72.4%)
Lab: 142 (27.6%)
Con HOLD
Isaac Newton, South Kesteven District Council
Con: 412 (51.8%) -23.5%
Ind: 165 (20.7%) New
Lab: 147 (18.5%) -6.3%
Grn: 72 (9.0%) New
Con HOLD
Abbreviations
Con = Conservative
Lab = Labour
Grn = Green
Freedom = Freedom Alliance
LDem = Liberal Democrat
Ind = Independents