After the brilliant results in the local and European elections, Liberal Democrat success continued last night with the party picking up three seats in London and the West Country and securing several impressive increases in vote share elsewhere.
Merton LB, Cannon Hill
LD Jenifer Gould 1060 [35.0%; +24.3%]
Lab 875 [28.9%; -13.9%]
Con 867 [28.6%; -14.2%]
Green 158 [5.2%; +5.2%]
UKIP 68 [2.2%; -1.4%]
Turnout 42%
Lib Dem gain from Labour
Percentage change from 2018
We start with one of the biggest results of the night in one of two by-elections that took place in London. Lib Dem Jenifer Gould took a whopping 1060 votes, leapfrogging both Labour and the Conservatives to go up from third place to first. Our share of the vote increased by a huge 24.3%, signalling a clear shift in support in the (Conservative-held) Wimbledon constituency. Congratulations to Jenifer and the Merton Lib Dem team from everyone here at ALDC and keep up the good work.
POSTPONED ELECTION: Forest of Dean DC, Newent & Taynton
Ind Gooch 551
LD Gill Moseley 462
LD Vilnis Vesma 423
Con Lawton 404
Con Heathfield 392
Grn Rhodes 306
Grn Price 282
LD Steve Martin 266
Grn Back 251
Con Winter 217
Ind Wood 175
Ind Holmes 170
Lab Sampson 110
1 Ind Hold and 2 LD gain from Con
Last night also saw the last round of deferred elections from the locals, with 3 seats up for grabs in the redrawn Newent ward in the Forest of Dean. After 8 years without winning in this district, the brilliant Lib Dem team scored a surprise victory, winning two of the available 3 seats with Gill Moseley and Vilnis Vesma taking seats from sitting Conservative councillors. In a closely fought election, the local Lib Dem team ran a great postal vote operation and hit home using well-designed literature featuring strong local issues. A great night for the team and congratulations to Gill and Vilnis!
Wandsworth LB, Furzedown
Lab 1811 [49.0%; -14.7%]
LD Jon Irwin 887 [24.0%; +18.7%]
Con 681 [16.4%; -3.0%]
Green 318 [8.6%; +8.6%]
Lab Hold
Percentage change from 2018
The second by-election in London took place in Wandsworth with Jon Irwin taking a solid second place and securing gaining yet more ground on Labour. A well run campaign saw the team gain an increase of 18.7% of vote share with Labour losing 14.7% of their vote share. Well done to the team and keep up the good work.
Isle of Wight UA, Whippingham & Osborne
Con 318 [35.1%; +9.3%]
LD Julie Burridge 179 [19.8%; +14.5%]
Ind Paler 167 [18.4%; +18.4%]
Lab 141 [15.6%; +3.5%]
Island Ind 60 [6.6%; +6.6%]
UKIP 41 [4.5%; +4.5%]
Con gain from Ind (sitting as Labour)
Percentage change from 2017
In another close fought election, the Isle of Wight Lib Dem team secured second place in a tough battle with the Tories and two local independents. Well done to Julie Burridge and the team for what is a promising result for future elections.
Neath Port Talbot UA, Pelenna
Ind Hurley 251 [47.8%; +47.8%]
Plaid Cymru 120 [22.9%; -5.3%]
Ind Hughes 105 [20.0%; -4.3%]
Lab 43 [8.2%; -11.0%]
LD Frank Little 6 [1.1%; +1.1%]
Ind Hold
Percentage change from 2017
POSTPONED ELECTION: South Ribble DC, Farrington West
Con 536
Con 497
Lab 246
Lab 171
LD Judith Davidson 114
LD Alison Hesketh-Holt 91
2 Con Holds
POSTPONED ELECTION: Salford MB, Walkden South
Lab 802
Con 654
Green 254
LD John-Paul Atley 173
UKIP 148
Lab gain from Con
Thanks also go to Frank Little, Judith Davidson, Alison Hesketh-Holt and John-Paul Atley for representing the party in their battles and continuing our aim of making sure people always have the chance to vote for a Liberal Democrat on the ballot paper. It was fantastic to see a full slate of candidates in every by-election.