By Jonathan Isaby
Below are the results, as put out by the Press Association, of yesterday's local council by-elections. Given that it is holiday season and turnouts are considerably down in most cases, I don't think very much can be concluded from the varied results.
Cannock Chase Council – Heath Hayes East and Wimblebury ward
Lab 418
C 238
Lib Dem 153
Ind 30
Lab gain from C – Swing 11.4% C to Lab
(May 2010 – C 1149, Lab 1104, Lib Dem 840)
Dacorum Council – Aldbury and Wigginton ward*
Lib Dem 593
C 305
Lab 18
Lib Dem gain from C – Swing 25.8% C to Lib Dem
(May 2007 – C 475, Lib Dem 306, Lab 53)
* By-election caused by disqualification of Conservative councillor for failing to attend a meeting for six months
Redcar and Cleveland Council – Brotton ward
Lab 565
Ind 351
Lib Dem 315
C 220
BNP 33
Lab hold – Swing 3.2% Lib Dem to Lab
(May 2007 – Three seats Lab 858, 728, 647, Lib Dem 637, 581, C 422, Lib Dem 405, C 365, Ind 280)
Sheffield Council – Woodhouse ward
Lab 1855
Lib Dem 757
Ukip 491
C 154
BNP 143
Green 83
Ind 58
Lab hold – Swing 2.9% Lib Dem to Lab
(May 2010 – Lab 3633, Lib Dem 1693, C 1118, Ukip 739, English Democrats 331, Green 210)
South Bucks Council – Burnham Church ward
C 459
Ukip 276
Lib Dem 80
C hold – Swing 4.8% Lib Dem to C
(May 2007 – Three seats C 506, 504, 493, Lib Dem 240, 222).