UK local by-elections 2012

[joevsimp]

The SNP are putting up 43 candidates in Glasgow to contest 21 wards.

they undernominated last time didn't they? looks like their aiming for a big finish, have Labour finished their nominations yet/

[joevsimp]

St Albans, Batchwood

Lab 55.1 (+14.2)
Lib Dem 21.7 (-2.7)
Con 19.1 (-7.8  )
Green 4.2 (+2.5)

yowza! some interesting swings there

[joevsimp]

the Greens used to have two seats in South Lakeland didn't they, I take it it wasn't this one given that they're not standing

[joevsimp]

I'm not aware that the Greens ever had any seats in South Lakeland.  It's not a district that would have lots of stereotypical Green voters in the way that neighbouring Lancaster does, and the local Lib Dems have the pavement style of politics sewn up.

In fact I'm struggling to think of any Green councillors in the whole of Cumbria.

they lost in 2007 I think, I might be wrong

[joevsimp]

suppose so, either that or I'm misremembering and/or the BBC were lying, I cant find their old local elections coverage on there any more, and that's where I saw it

[joevsimp]

Thanks. Been checking on the Scarborough borough council website all day - will I never learn?

I love the trite opening comment "Labour scored a double gain from Tories at Braintree District in
the heart of Essex man territory in the latest council by-elections." The heart of Essex man territory, otherwise known as Essex

Well, the heart of "Essex Man" territory is Basildon

[joevsimp]

I suppose that Labour winning the parliamentary seat in 97 and 2001 counts it as "essex man" from their point of view. I thought your quote was from a Labour press release at first:D

[joevsimp]

chinnor's a bit close to me, reminds me that I really need to register after moving

[joevsimp]

whichever party thinks they've the most to loose always complain whenever a byelection happens during the school holidays, normal service should be resumed in september

[joevsimp]

Tendring, St Bartholomews (changes since Mar 2012 by-election in italics)

Residents 87.8 (+14.5) (+15.1)
Con 12.2 (-14.5) (-7.1)

Fascinating. One wonders about the national ramifications of this result.

Clacton's a weird place, not as weird as Stoke on Trent, but the whole Tendring coast is just slightly odd in lots of differentways
Improssive, since the election was to replace the Resident who won in March and resigned.

[joevsimp]

Bridgend, Bettws

Lab 79.9 (+3.6)
Ind 15.5 (+15.5)
Green 2.6 (-21.1)
Con 1.9 (+1.9)

(via https://twitter.com/DRC1649/status/241292519747489792)

that's a pretty steep drop but how did the greens manage to get 23.7% in Bridgend, was it just us, Labour and the Tories?

[joevsimp]

Bridgend, Bettws

Lab 79.9 (+3.6)
Ind 15.5 (+15.5)
Green 2.6 (-21.1)
Con 1.9 (+1.9)

(via https://twitter.com/DRC1649/status/241292519747489792)

that's a pretty steep drop but how did the greens manage to get 23.7% in Bridgend, was it just us, Labour and the Tories?

Yes, except without Tories.

The "anyone but Labour" vote has coalesced around the available candidate, and in May, the Greens were "it":

2004: Lab 70.7 Ind 17.2 Lib Dem 12.2
2008: Lab 82.3 Lib Dem 17.7
2012: Lab 76.3 Green 23.7

i'm impressed that they managed more than the lib dems had 4 years before

[joevsimp]

Very happy to see the Burnley result.  Bye bye BNP and *sn* NF

just because the vote is fragmenting doesn't mean the problem's gone

[joevsimp]

Spelthorne, Sunbury Common

Lib Dem 46.6 (-9.0)
UKIP 22.8 (+5.0)
Lab 16.2 (+16.2)
Con 14.4 (-12.2)

Norwich, Crome

Lab 59.3 (-2.5)
Con 17.4 (-1.5)
UKIP 15.6 (+15.6)
Green 4.9 (-8.4)
Lib Dem 2.8 (-3.3)

Norwich, Nelson

Green 56.0 (-3.5)
Lab 29.9 (+4.7)
Lib Dem 8.7 (+2.4)
Con 5.4 (-3.6)

what was the reason for the two in Norwich?