COUNCIL BY-ELECTIONS 16.06.22

Four contests this week - two Labour defences, one Tory defence and a free-for-all in Worcestershire.

Labour held their seats in Sunderland and Warwick, while the Conservatives held in Rother, East Sussex.  The latter was an interesting head-to-head between the Tories and Lib Dems, with three absentees - no candidates from Labour (10.3% last time), UKIP (7.8%) and no independent (34.3%).  While the Lib Dems took more advantage from the missing candidates, it wasn't enough to win the seat.

There were also three absentees in Wyre Forest, Worcestershire.  This vacancy was caused by the resignation of a councillor from local campaign group Health Concern, who did not defend the seat.  They secured 30.1% last time, while UKIP and the Greens won 10.6% and 10.0% respectively.  It was the Conservatives who took the most advantage from their absence and in doing so gained their first council seat in a by-election since April 7.

Brede & Udimore, Rother District Council

Con: 424 (61.4%) +21.5%

LDem: 266 (38.6%) +30.9%

Con HOLD

Copt Hill, Sunderland City Council

Lab: 969 (44.5%) -1.6%

Ind: 606 (27.8%) New

Con: 384 (17.6%) +4.9%

Grn: 158 (7.3%) -3.0%

LDem: 61 (2.8%) New

Lab HOLD

Leamington Clarendon, Warwick District Council

Lab: 1,064 (48.9%) +14.4%

LDem: 612 (28.1%) -1.3%

Con: 365 (16.9%) -0.6%

Grn: 105 (5.0%) -7.2%

UKIP: 24 (1.1%) -5.2%

Lab HOLD

Franche & Habberley North, Wyre Forest District Council

Con: 826 (45.2%) +25.4%

Lab: 656 (35.9%) +16.1%

LDem: 347 (19.0%) +9.2%

Con GAIN from HlthCon