Council by-elections

There were four council by-elections last week, the Chelmsford one being held on Tuesday rather than the usual Thursday. The contrast between the very weak Lib Dem performance in the two urban seats and the gains they made in the two seats where they have a strong local campaign machine is fascinating and suggests they may continue to do well in parliamentary seats where they have the incumbent MP.

Broomfield and The Walthams Ward, Chelmsford City Council. LD gain from Ind. LD 543 (38.2%, +17.8), Con 423 (29.7%, -3.5), UKIP 280 (19.7%, +19.7), Lab 129 (9.1%, +0.1), Green 47 (3.3%, -6.4). Swing of 10.7% from Con to LD since 2011.

West Harrow Ward, LB Harrow. Lab hold. Lab 1042 (47.6%, +7), Con 761 (34.7%, +2.1), UKIP 171 (7.8%, +2.9), Green 96 (4.4%, +4.4), LD 68 (3.1%, -16.4), Ind 53 (2.4%, +2.4). Swing of 2.5% from Con to Lab since 2010.

Cromer Town Ward, North Norfolk DC. LD gain from Con. LD 558 (46.6%, +19.7), Lab 240 (20.1%, -4.3), UKIP 218 (18.2%, +18.2), Con 181 (15.1%, -22.3). Swing of 12% from Lab to LD since 2011. Tories go from 1st to 4th.

Castleford Central & Glasshoughton Ward, Wakefield MBC. Lab hold. Lab 1567 (76.7%, +0.4), UKIP 349 (17.1%, +1.1), Con 95 (4.6%, -3.1), LD 33 (1.6%, +1.6). Swing of 0.4% from Lab to UKIP since 2012.