2009 has been the best year for Lib Dem success against the Tories in local government by-elections in this parliament.

There is an old Lib Dem adage  “Where we work we win” and this seems to be the initial conclusion of ALDC’s analysis of the 2009 principal local by-elections.  With 17 net gains we have had our best year since we made 17 gains in 2006.

The difference in 2009 was that we made 11 net gains off the Tories, helping them to 25 net losses for the year. In 2006 we had net losses of 3 to the Tories but offset this by making 16 net gains off “others” – largely rural independents. In 2009 there were fewer Independents defending; 23 rather than 46 in 2006. In addition the Independents improved their defence rate from a mere 20% in 2006 to around 50% in 2009.

Whilst we have not yet done a full and more detailed analysis of the results (see January’s Campaigner for this) we believe a number of factors to be at play in these results. The theory that “anti-politics” mood would herald success for Independents and smaller parties has not been borne out in real elections. Party organisation really does matter. Without making predictions about the general election the clear message is that doing it by the book works.

Any ALDC member can subscribe to our free By-Elections email - the first, and most comprehensive local by-election report every Friday lunchtime. When you're logged on to the ALDC website manage your account here. 

Today is six months to the most likely polling day for a UK General Election, and for crucial local elections in London and much of England. 

We do not need to tell you that these are vital elections for both the Liberal Democrats and the people that we represent and campaign for. 

Support for our General Election work will obviously be coming from the Party at many levels. In addition to helping with the General Election effort, ALDC will be ensuring that there is help and support in place to ensure we succeed in the local elections as well. 

Training - our busy programme of training for the elections is nearing its conclusion this year with Regional Conferences, and the (fully booked) Kickstart Residential Weekend. 

Candidate Support Programme - For the first time we'll be sending out a Liberal Democrat "Candidates Handbook" at the start of January free for all Lib Dem candidates in the local electons. It will contain all the essential advice that candidates need about elections, staying on the right side of the law, campaign planning, and crucially where to go for more help. This is being accompanied by monthly Election Briefing emails

But we can only send the information if we have the candidates. Register your candidates this weekend online here. 

Advice and Support - We are here to provide advice and support for all Liberal Democrats on anything to do with elections - election law, campaign techniques, procedures - or anything to do with being a councillor. Ask for advice online (we have a same day/next morning policy for all advice requests) or phone us 9.15-5.15 during the week on 01422 843 785. ALDC members of course have an enhanced advice service with access to online resources and information. 

Templates and Campaign Ideas - as the election gets nearer we will be continuing to provide ALDC members with weekly campaign ideas, templates, council motions and best practice artwork - if you're not a member you should be!

On 6th May 2010, council elections will be held for:

• 32 London Boroughs (all-out)
• 36 Metropolitan Boroughs (thirds)
• 20 Unitary Authorities (thirds)
• 78 English Districts (thirds and halves)
• 4 Directly-Elected Mayors

It is also widely expected that this will be the same date as the next General Election.

In total 4,229 councillors will be elected across these councils, with the current political make-up of these councillors as follows:

• 1,738 Conservative Councillors
• 1,400 Labour Councillors
• 879 Liberal Democrat Councillors
• 33 BNP Councillors
• 27 Green Councillors
• 169 Others

Of the councils up for election in 2010, the Liberal Democrats are defending majority control in Kingston-upon-Thames, Richmond-upon-Thames, Sutton, Liverpool, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Rochdale, Sheffield, Stockport, Bristol, Hull, Portsmouth, Cambridge, Eastleigh, South Lakeland, Three Rivers and Watford, as well as the mayoralty in Watford.

The political balance of all county and unitary elections is shown below as the count is completed.  You can also view our analysis of the gains and losses for each party by going to our full Election2009 page.

Cumbria
Further news from Cumbria, where we have gained a seat in Carlisle and beaten the Conservative Group Leader in Kirkby Stephen.

Westmorland & Lonsdale (Cumbria)
Our electoral success in Westmorland & Lonsdale continues with us making four gains so far in the county council election.  Good news for Tim Farron MP and the team in South Lakeland.

Bedford
We have moved to become the biggest party in Bedford, overtaking the Conservatives.  This new council will be no overall control.

West Sussex
Another place showing good results for the Liberal Democrats is West Sussex where we have picked up a few seats from the Conservatives.  We are doing especially well in Arun and Mid Sussex.

Suffolk
Some good election results are coming in from different parts of Suffolk, with the Liberal Democrats making gains from the Conservatives and Labour.

Council By-Elections
There were 68 council by-elections yesterday and 25 results have come in so far.  The Liberal Democrats gained a seat from the Conservatives in East Hertfordshire, but lost one to the Conservatives in Watford.  The full results are available below.

Doncaster
English Democrat Peter Davies has won the mayoral election with the Independent Mick Waye coming a close second and Labour not far behind in third.

A few interesting gains around the country
We have taken Warren Hills in North West Leicestershire from Labour, Bridport in West Dorset from Conservatives, Brereton & Ravenhill in Cannock Chase from Labour and three seats from the Conservatives in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Burnley (Lancashire)
Liberal Democrats have gained five of the six seats in Burnley from Labour - two from third place.  The sixth was taken by the BNP.

Somerset and Devon
Liberal Democrats look to have lost control of Somerset and Devon.

Romsey and Eastleigh (Hampshire)
We have retained all our county councillors in both of these marginal parliamentary seats, including a clean sweep in Eastleigh Constituency.

Brentwood (Essex)
We have gained two seats from the Conservatives in Brentwood.  This is in the constituency held by Conservative Party Chairman and 'campaign guru' Eric Pickles MP.

Lincolnshire
Conservatives consolidate control at the expense of other main parties.  Collapse of Labour means Liberal Democrats become biggest opposition party.  Liberal Democrats make net loss of three seats, but make a gain in North Kesteven from Conservatives, but lose seats elsewhere. 

Bristol
Lib Dems have gained overall control of Bristol for the first time! Making 4 gains on the night. Labour only won 2 wards its vote share down to 18.88%. Well done to the team in Bristol - brilliant news!
BBC Bristol report 

Central Bedfordshire
Conservatives take control of this new Authority which replaces two existing tory-run district. 11 Lib Dems elected to the new Council, Labour wiped out.

Hartlepool
Independent Stuart Drummond has been narrowly re-elected as Mayor of Hartlepool for a third term.