Council by-elections

There were six council by-elections last night. The Lib Dems had the best night, gaining one seat from the Tories and holding marginals against Labour and the Tories. Labour should be pleased to hold the Thurrock seat and with it control of the council in a part of Essex where the Tories and UKIP are strong and Labour candidate Polly Billington is waging a determined campaign to win back the parliamentary seat.

Dalston Ward, Carlisle BC. LD gain from Con. LD 506 (37.2%, -14.6), Con 476 (34.9%, +10.8), Lab 186 (13.7%, -1.6), UKIP 167 (12.3%, +3.6), Green 27 (2%, +2). Swing of 12.7% from LD to Con since 2012. The LDs follow up their gain of a seat in this ward last year with a 14.6% less impressive result which is still enough to pick up another of the ward’s seats.

Westbourne Ward, Chichester BC. Con hold. Con 184 (41.3%, -18.6), UKIP 106 (23.8%, +23.8), Green 85 (19.1%, +19.1), LD 68 (15.2%, -21.1), Patria 3 (0.7%, +0.7). Swing of 21.2% from Con to UKIP since 2011.

Barnfield Ward, Luton UA. LD hold. LD 674 (37.9%, +3.2), Lab 635 (35.7%, +4.1), Con 397 (22.3%, -4.3), Green 63 (4.1%, -3). Swing of 0.5% from LD to Lab since 2011.

Sandsfield East Ward, Neath & Port Talbot UA. Lab hold. Lab 718 (59.7%, +23.1), Resident 222 (18.5%, -5.2), UKIP 154 (12.8%, +12.8), PC 69 (5.7%, +5.7), Con 40 (3.3%, +3.3). Swing of 14.2% from Res to Lab since 2012.

Levens Ward, South Lakeland DC. LD hold. LD 569 (57%, +1.2), Con 430 (43%, +2.8). Swing of 0.8% from LD to Con since 2012.

Stifford Clays Ward, Thurrock UA. Lab hold. Lab 646 (36.8%, -8.3), 570 (32.5%, +5.6), UKIP 504 (28.7%, +4.3), LD 35 (2%, -1.5). Swing of 7% from Lab to Con since 2011. If Labour had lost this seat it would have lost us control of Thurrock Council.