Wyre Forest District Council election, 1998

The 1998 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 7 May 1998 to elect members of Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Labour party stayed in overall control of the council.[1]

After the election, the composition of the council was

Background

14 seats were contested at the election with Labour defending 7, the Liberal Democrats 4 and the Conservatives, Liberals and independents 1 seat each.[2] Labour were confident of defending the majority of 10 they held over the other parties before the election.[2]

Election result

The results saw Labour increase their majority on the council after gaining two seats, one each from an independent and Liberal Democrat.[3] The other change in the election saw the Conservatives gain a seat in Bewdley ward from the Liberal Democrats.[3] Labour attributed their performance to the capable candidates they had stood but were disappointed by the turnout.[4]

Wyre Forest local election result 1998[4][5]
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Labour 9 2 0 +2 64.3
  Liberal Democrat 2 0 2 -2 14.3
  Conservative 2 1 0 +1 14.3
  Liberal 1 0 0 0 7.1
  Independent 0 0 1 -1 0

By-elections between 1998 and 1999

Oldington and Foley Park

A by-election was held in Oldington and Foley Park after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Adrian Beavis after he was found guilty of false accounting.[6] The seat was gained for Labour by Barry McFarland with a majority of 27 votes over Conservative Justin Tomlinson.[6][7]

Oldington and Foley Park by-election 3 December 1998[6][7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Barry McFarland 354 35.8 -6.7
Conservative Justin Tomlinson 327 33.0 +27.3
Liberal Democrat Paul Kendall 309 31.2 -17.5
Majority 27 2.7
Turnout 990 23.3
Labour gain from Liberal Democrat Swing

Chaddesley

A by-election was held in Chaddesley after the death of Conservative councillor Harry Purcell.[8]

Chaddesley by-election 18 February 1999[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative 490 89.3 +6.4
Labour 59 10.7 -6.4
Majority 431 78.5
Turnout 549 30.6
Conservative hold Swing

References

  1. 1 2 "Policy and politics: Local Elections: Analysis: Council poll results". The Guardian. 1998-05-09. p. 16.
  2. 1 2 Smith, Sue (1998-04-07). "Labour confident of retaining majority". Birmingham Mail. p. 25.
  3. 1 2 Probert, Andy (1998-05-08). "Tight grip maintained by Labour". Birmingham Mail. p. 5.
  4. 1 2 Howarth, Jayne (1998-05-08). "Midlands gives Blair thumbs-up". Birmingham Post. p. 3.
  5. ↑ "Local Elections results". The Times. 1998-05-09. p. 46.
  6. 1 2 3 "Labour Gain In Wyre By-election". Birmingham Post. NewsBank. 4 December 1998.
  7. 1 2 "Local Authority Byelection Results - December 1998". Local Authority Byelection Results. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "Tributes as leading Tory dies". Birmingham Mail. NewsBank. 11 December 1998. p. 4.
  9. ↑ "Local Authority Byelection Results - February 1999". Local Authority Byelection Results. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
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