LOCAL ELECTIONS

The picture presented by last week's local elections (see below) contrasts remarkably with LibDem performance in the national opinion polls. I think part of the explanation is that where there is a strong LibDem presence. we buck the trend, and maybe the outlook is better than the media are saying. I also believe that we are starting to be successful in differentiating ourselves from the Tories. a task they are making easier for us by their lurch to the right. We should oppose further welfare cuts, defend the Human Rights Act, and explain the huge advantages the UK gets from membership of the EU.

By-Election Results

Brentwood BC, Shenfield

Date: 06/12/2012

LD Elizabeth Clare Cohen 728 (50.7; -3.3)
Con 557 (38.8; +0.1)
UKIP 119 (8.3; +8.3)
Lab 31 (2.2; -5.2)

Majority 171

Turnout 33.4%

LD gain from Con.

Percentage change is since May 2012.



Cornwall UA, Gwinear-Gwithian and St Erth

Date: 06/12/2012

Con 332 (35.3; -2.8)
Ind 167 (17.7; -16.3)
Ind 163 (18.5; +18.5)
LD Yvonne Lesley Bates 121 (12.9; -9.3)
Lab 76 (8.1; +2.5)
Mebyon Kernow 58 (6.2; +6.2)
Ind 24 (2.6; +2.6)

Majority 165

Turnout 25.6%

Con hold.

Percentage change is since June 2009.



Neath Port Talbot CBC, Neath South

Date: 06/12/2012

Lab 399 (75.4; +8.8)

LD Charlotte May Cross 130 (24.6; +24.6)
[PC (0.0; -14.2)]
[NPT Ind (0.0; -19.2)]

Majority 269

Turnout not known

Lab hold

Percentage change is since May 2012.



South Staffordshire DC, Wombourne North and Lower Penn

Date: 06/12/2012

Con 404 (59.3; -6.2)
UKIP 182 (26.7; -7.7)
Lab 95 (14.0; +14.0)

Majority 222

Turnout 12.8%

Con hold.

Percentage change is since May 2011.



Sutton LBC, Stonecot

Date: 06/12/2012

LD Nick Emmerson 1034 (53.3; +1.9)
Con 402 (20.7; -10.1)
Lab 289 (14.9; +4.2)
UKIP 182 (9.4; +9.4)
Green 32 (1.7; +1.7)
[BNP (0.0; -7.0)]

Majority 632

Turnout 23.99%

LD hold

Percentage change is since May 2010.



Vale of White Horse DC, Sunningwell and Wootton

Date: 06/12/2012

LD Valerie Christine Shaw 577 / Elizabeth Miles 549 (62.5; +28.4)
Con 346 / 333 (37.5; -6.2)
[Lab (0.0; -9.1)]
[UKIP (0.0; -13.1)]

Majorities 231 / 203

Turnout 26%

LD gain from Con x 2

Percentage change is since May 2011.



Littlehampton TC, River

Date: 06/12/2012

LD Ian James Rudolph Buckland 311 (41.8)
Lab 226 (30.4)
UKIP 116 (15.6)
Con 91 (12.2)

Majority 85
Turnout 18.6% LD gain from Con.