My analysis of by-elections from 2 June 2016 and other thoughts

Readers, the results from by-elections of 2nd June featuring Green Party candidates were as follows:

Rushmoor BC, Aldershot Park: Labour 525 (45.9%, -8.7%), UKIP 314 (27.4%), Conservative 264 (23.1%, -7.6%), Green 41 (3.6%). This is a deferred election; therefore all changes are since 2012.

Mid Suffolk DC, Barking & Somersham: Green 212 (34.5%), Con 210 (34.2%, -7.5%), Liberal Democrats 154 (25.1%, +13.2%), Lab 38 (6.2%).

Lewes DC, Lewes Bridge: Lib Dem 545 (44.6%, +18.5%), Green 343 (28.3%, +10.0%), Lab 212 (17.4%, +0.9%), Con 117 (9.6%, -3.1%).

Our strength continues to grow in Mid Suffolk, with Anne Killett's election giving the Green Party seven councillors in Mid Suffolk, the highest ever in Mid Suffolk Green Party's long history. Our by-election win was also helped by the absence of the local group Suffolk Together from this by-election, who used to have a significant presence in rural parts of Suffolk.

Despite already having one councillor in the Lewes Bridge ward, we were unable to gain a second despite our best efforts and clearly establishing ourselves as the challengers to the Liberal Democrats in Lewes; their former MP Norman Baker only narrowly lost the constituency of Lewes last year and they appear determined to at least remain competitive even if the constituency of Lewes is split up in the next round of boundary changes.

If you have not yet registered to vote in time for the EU referendum, please do so as soon as possible-every vote will count in this crucial opportunity. The deadline for registering to vote in Britain's EU membership referendum is 7th June; you can register via https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote







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