Today for the second time in a fortnight three Parliamentary by-elections are taking place. By any measure there do seem to have been a higher than usual number of by-elections recently. The Parliamentary Labour Party has for varying reasons suffered more than the other parties. Sadly several long serving Labour MP’s have died which accounts for two of today’s by-elections in Croydon North and in Middlesborough. Resignations resulting from Labour MP’s choosing to become Police and Crime Commissioners and because of the continuing fall-out of the expenses scandal which has caused the by-election in Rotherham being held today. Two weeks ago the by-election in the Corby constituency had resulted from the sitting Conservative MP who had recently married resigning to move to live with her husband in the USA. Two weeks ago all the three by-elections were won by Labour and it would not be too great a surprise if that outcome was repeated today but has the Bradford West by-election showed a few months ago strange results can sometimes occur in by-elections.
Two weeks ago whilst Labour were winning the three Parliamentary by-elections the Conservatives won two Bury Council by-elections caused by the resignation from the sitting Conservative Councillors. Congratulations to James Daly for winning North Manor Ward and to my wife Susan for winning Church Ward. Both by-elections were keenly contested and commiserations to the other candidates who put up valiant fights. Full results can be seen here
David Nuttall 