Walkergate on Newcastle upon Tyne (Lab Defence)

Last Local Elections (2012): Lab 51, Lib Dem 26, Ind 1 (Lab majority of 24)

Ward Results 2010 – 2012

	Local Elections   2010		Local Elections   2011		Local Elections   2012
Party	Votes Cast	% Share	Votes Cast	% Share	Votes Cast	% Share
Conservatives	346	8%	119	4%	149	5%
Labour	2,009	46%	1,682	50%	1,912	68%
Liberal Democrats	1,706	39%	1,580	47%	646	23%
BNP	303	7%
Communists					102	4%

As I mentioned last time when we had a by-election in Newcastle, the council reflects precisely was has been happening with the Liberal Democrats post coalition and judging by what happened last time, I would expect more of the same.

Wollaton West on Nottingham (Con Defence)

Last Local Elections (2011): Lab 50, Con 5 (Lab majority of 45)

Last Ward Result (2011): Emboldened means elected

Party	First Candidate	Second Candidate	Third Candidate
Conservatives	2,870	2,646	2,593
Labour	1,753	2,018	1,938
Liberal Democrats	601	770	506

Nottingham has since 2003 been a Labour stronghold and like Newcastle has been reflective of the collapse in the Liberal Democrats following the coalition. Back in 2003 when Labour had a majority on the council of 17, the Liberal Democrats were the official opposition (with 11 councillors) to the Conservatives 8 councillors.

However, in 2007 there was an inkling of what was forthcoming as Labour made six gains (against the national trend of diasterous losses across the country with the Liberal Democrats losing five councillors and the Conservatives one councillor.

It was 2011, as was the case across the rest of the country, when the anti Liberal Democrat feeling was made evident as the Liberal Democrats were wiped out on Nottingham and the Conservatives lost two seats to make Nottingham a virtual one party state, but as we have seen that can come back and bite parties (especially when people feel that they cannot vote for mainstream parties)

 

Harry Hayfield