My analysis of British local by-elections from 23 September 2021 and also of the Manx general election of 2021

Readers, the results of British local by-elections from 23 September 2021 were as follows:

Charnwood BC, Shepshed West: Conservative 511 (43.6%, +3.7%), Labour 316 (26.9%, +0.0%), Green 302 (25.7%, +13.6%), Liberal Democrats 44 (3.8%, -3.0%). [UKIP did not stand]

East Cambridgeshire DC, Soham North: Conservative 484 (50.8%, +8.6%), Liberal Democrats 369 (38.8%, -9.8%), Labour 71 (7.5%, -2.2%), Green 28 (2.9%). Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats.

East Devon DC, Exe Valley: Liberal Democrats 191 (36.9%, -19.8%), Conservative 164 (31.8%, -11.5%), Labour 161 (31.3%).

Epsom & Ewell BC, Cuddington: Residents' Association 585 (56.0%, -10.8%), Labour 207 (19.8%, +10.2%), Conservative 135 (12.9%, +1.3%), Liberal Democrats 117 (11.2%, -1.9%).

Hammersmith & Fulham LBC, Wormholt & White City: Labour 1,462 (70.0%, -6.5%), Conservative 431 (20.6%, +6.4%), Green 110 (5.3%), Liberal Democrats 86 (4.1%, -2.3%).

South Lakeland DC, Kendal North: Liberal Democrats 622 (46.9%, +7.5%), Green 527 (39.8%, +15.7%), Conservative 122 (9.2%, -13.5%), Labour 54 (4.1%, -9.7%).

Despite the recent energy crisis and driver crisis being attributable to Brexit, this did not prevent the Conservatives putting in strong performances in the majority of these by-elections, even gaining Soham North from the Liberal Democrats, and arguably they only polled badly in Kendal North due to tactical voting. Said recent energy crisis did boost the Green vote, but not enough for any Green gains although they came close in Kendal North, an unusual situation given that Liberal Democrats and Greens are rarely competitive in the same wards nowadays, as shown by the tactical squeeze on the Green Party in Soham North's by-election. Only in the Exe Valley by-election did Labour put in a good performance, although being next to Exeter it is increasingly being populated by public sector workers and academic workers priced out of Exeter city itself.

On the same day, the Isle of Man's 2021 general election occurred, and as usual Independents formed the majority of candidates elected, winning 21 of the 24 seats available in the House of Keys, the lower house of Tynwald, the Manx Parliament (the Legislative Council is the upper house of Tynwald). The Manx Labour Party reentered the House of Keys by winning seats in Douglas South and Douglas East, and narrowly missed out on a third seat in Garff. Liberal Vannin meanwhile was nearly wiped out, with only its leader Lawrie Hooper retaining his seat in Ramsey, although ex-Liberal Vannin MHK Julie Edge retained her seat in Onchan. For the first time ever, Green Party candidates contested House of Keys seats, although neither came close to being elected; they have however sent a clear message that the climate emergency issue must be taken seriously on the Isle of Man. The most notable defeat of the 2021 Manx general election was Manx Home Affairs Minister Graham Cregeen finishing last in Arbory, Castletown and Malew, 

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