There were five principal council by-elections held yesterday, with Lib Dem candidates standing in all of them. The two contests in Aberdeen (UA) in Kincorth/Nigg/Cove and Hilton/Woodside/Stockethill wards, caused by the resignation of the new MPs for Aberdeen North and South, resulted in two comfortable SNP holds. Lib Dem candidates Ken McLeod and Jonathan Waddell polled 6.5% and 4.1% of the first preference votes respectively, a slight decrease in the Lib Dem vote share from 2012 on both counts. The result of both by-elections was sealed after the first round, with the respective SNP candidates receiving over 50% of the first preference votes.
The Conservatives easily held their seat in Droitwich East in Wychavon (DC) with 52.2% of the vote, with Lib Dem Rory Roberson coming fourth with 11.4%. The Tories also picked up a gain from the Lincolnshire Independents in North Hykeham Mill ward in North Kesteven (DC). The victory brings the Conservative representation on the council up to twenty nine and reduces the Lincolnshire Independents, who are the official opposition to the Tories on the council, down to eight councillors.
In College ward in Northumberland (CC) Labour secured a hold with 69.5% of the vote, despite this being a drop in vote share by 21.2% from two years earlier. Lib Dem candidate Andy McGregor won 11.2% in finishing third with the party not fielding a candidate in the previous election.
Next week sees five council by-elections, all of them in Scotland. Three of the by-elections have been caused following the resignations of new SNP MPs. Four new councillors in Glasgow (UA) will be elected next Thursday, with the SNP defending three seats with the Scottish Greens hoping to hold the other. The remaining SNP defence will be in the South Lanarkshire (UA) ward of Hamilton South.
For a comprehensive set of this week’s and previous by-election results, click here, and for information on forthcoming by-elections as well as details for how to help, click here.