My analysis of British local by-elections from 27 January 2022 and a short tribute to Barry Cryer

 Readers, the results of this week's British local by-elections, which all took place in electoral divisions in the borough of Dartford, Kent, were as follows:

Dartford BC, Maypole & Leyton Cross: Conservative 334 (63.1%, -21.1%), Green 76 (14.4%), Labour 65 (12.3%, -3.5%), Liberal Democrats 54 (10.2%).

Dartford BC, Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley: Conservative 996 (67.8%, +18.4%), Labour 272 (18.5%, +4.9%), Liberal Democrats 200 (13.6%). [Previous Independent and UKIP did not stand]

Kent CC, Wilmington: Conservative 1,787 (57.9%, -14.5%), Labour 613 (19.9%, -0.1%), Liberal Democrats 487 (15.8%), Green 200 (6.5%, -1.1%). 

Although all three by-elections took place in very safely Conservative wards/divisions, the significant Conservative vote share decrease easily indicates the effects of "partygate" on the Conservatives even in such safe council seats as these; the Conservative vote only increased in the Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley by-election due to the absence of a previous Independent candidate and also the absence of a UKIP candidate (or a Reform UK candidate for that matter). 

In other, non-political news, comedian and long-running panellist on "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue", Barry Cryer, sadly passed away at the age of 86 three days ago. He will remembered for his classy wit, his clever and logical jokes, and at times his sharp honesty. 

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