2009 has been the best year for Lib Dem success against the Tories in local government by-elections in this parliament.

There is an old Lib Dem adage  “Where we work we win” and this seems to be the initial conclusion of ALDC’s analysis of the 2009 principal local by-elections.  With 17 net gains we have had our best year since we made 17 gains in 2006.

The difference in 2009 was that we made 11 net gains off the Tories, helping them to 25 net losses for the year. In 2006 we had net losses of 3 to the Tories but offset this by making 16 net gains off “others” – largely rural independents. In 2009 there were fewer Independents defending; 23 rather than 46 in 2006. In addition the Independents improved their defence rate from a mere 20% in 2006 to around 50% in 2009.

Whilst we have not yet done a full and more detailed analysis of the results (see January’s Campaigner for this) we believe a number of factors to be at play in these results. The theory that “anti-politics” mood would herald success for Independents and smaller parties has not been borne out in real elections. Party organisation really does matter. Without making predictions about the general election the clear message is that doing it by the book works.

Any ALDC member can subscribe to our free By-Elections email - the first, and most comprehensive local by-election report every Friday lunchtime. When you're logged on to the ALDC website manage your account here. 

The political balance of all county and unitary elections is shown below as the count is completed.  You can also view our analysis of the gains and losses for each party by going to our full Election2009 page.

Cumbria
Further news from Cumbria, where we have gained a seat in Carlisle and beaten the Conservative Group Leader in Kirkby Stephen.

Westmorland & Lonsdale (Cumbria)
Our electoral success in Westmorland & Lonsdale continues with us making four gains so far in the county council election.  Good news for Tim Farron MP and the team in South Lakeland.

Bedford
We have moved to become the biggest party in Bedford, overtaking the Conservatives.  This new council will be no overall control.

West Sussex
Another place showing good results for the Liberal Democrats is West Sussex where we have picked up a few seats from the Conservatives.  We are doing especially well in Arun and Mid Sussex.

Suffolk
Some good election results are coming in from different parts of Suffolk, with the Liberal Democrats making gains from the Conservatives and Labour.

Council By-Elections
There were 68 council by-elections yesterday and 25 results have come in so far.  The Liberal Democrats gained a seat from the Conservatives in East Hertfordshire, but lost one to the Conservatives in Watford.  The full results are available below.

Doncaster
English Democrat Peter Davies has won the mayoral election with the Independent Mick Waye coming a close second and Labour not far behind in third.

A few interesting gains around the country
We have taken Warren Hills in North West Leicestershire from Labour, Bridport in West Dorset from Conservatives, Brereton & Ravenhill in Cannock Chase from Labour and three seats from the Conservatives in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Burnley (Lancashire)
Liberal Democrats have gained five of the six seats in Burnley from Labour - two from third place.  The sixth was taken by the BNP.

Somerset and Devon
Liberal Democrats look to have lost control of Somerset and Devon.

Romsey and Eastleigh (Hampshire)
We have retained all our county councillors in both of these marginal parliamentary seats, including a clean sweep in Eastleigh Constituency.

Brentwood (Essex)
We have gained two seats from the Conservatives in Brentwood.  This is in the constituency held by Conservative Party Chairman and 'campaign guru' Eric Pickles MP.

Lincolnshire
Conservatives consolidate control at the expense of other main parties.  Collapse of Labour means Liberal Democrats become biggest opposition party.  Liberal Democrats make net loss of three seats, but make a gain in North Kesteven from Conservatives, but lose seats elsewhere. 

Bristol
Lib Dems have gained overall control of Bristol for the first time! Making 4 gains on the night. Labour only won 2 wards its vote share down to 18.88%. Well done to the team in Bristol - brilliant news!
BBC Bristol report 

Central Bedfordshire
Conservatives take control of this new Authority which replaces two existing tory-run district. 11 Lib Dems elected to the new Council, Labour wiped out.

Hartlepool
Independent Stuart Drummond has been narrowly re-elected as Mayor of Hartlepool for a third term.

Good luck to all LIberal Democrats involved in elections on Thursday!

- county and unitary council candidates and campaign teams
- by-election candidates (over 70)
- campaigners all over the country working for a strong Liberal Democrat voice in the European Parliament.

Our office will be open for urgent queries and problems 9.15 am - 5.15 pm - after that please email via the website Advice and Support section. 

A results service for the local elections starts early morning Friday 5th June. 

Good luck!

It's now a week to go to the European and Local elections on 4 June 2009.

All of us have European elections - but only some of us have local elections (the English Counties, seven English Unitaries and over 60 local by-elections). 359 Liberal Democrat county Councillors are defending their seats. Most of the Unitaries are new authorities with many existing district and county councillors standing as Lib Dem candidates.

Outside of these areas all of us have been involved in the European Campaign to maximise our vote. After your local commitment to Europe - you might have some extra capacity to help local campaigners elsewhere and make a difference between winning and losing county and unitary divisions and wards.

Lib Dems in Somerset celebrating a 4* Council!

Here are some of the ways you can help:
- phone canvassing - some local areas are set up on EARS E-Canvass system - to access this you need to go the EARS website to download a small programme. This will only work with your postcode and party membership number. This then allows you to get involved in phone canvassing in places that need it!

- Help on the last weekend, eve of poll and on polling day. Have you ever heard of a local party that couldn't do with some extra help on polling day! If you're able to give the time why not travel out to a County/Unitary division nearby? There are places with major Lib Dem challenges taking place within easy reach of London and all the major Metropolitan areas with no local elections this year.

- Phone Knocking Up - if you can't make it over you could still be a great help by helping with telephone knocking up in a keenly fought Lib Dem division or ward.

ALDC will put you in touch with local campaigners who need your help - email us or phone 01422 843 785.

The latest Election Briefing is now available, (for ALDC members only), to read online or download.
                                                       

Topics include:                                    

"Will you be ready in 2009?"
"Things to do now"
"Are you throwing your money down the drain?"
"The Four P’s"
"Local Election Timetable 2009"

Click here to read Election Briefing, (ALDC members only).