Liberal Democrats retain both Salisbury Milford council seats

Summarised from 2 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 16 Oct, 18:08 · Archive

The Liberal Democrats have retained both Salisbury Milford council seats in by-elections held on Thursday. Mac Brown was elected to Wiltshire Council with 759 votes, beating Conservative candidate Laura Jones by 154 votes. Lawrence Gillies was elected to Salisbury City Council with 751 votes, ahead of the Conservatives by 138 votes. Turnout was 41.19 per cent for both races, with 1,792 votes cast in each.

The by-elections were triggered by the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Bayliss from both councils for personal reasons in September. The Wiltshire Council result was considered significant because the Liberal Democrats hold a narrow majority on the council, with 42 seats compared to the Conservatives' 38. A Conservative victory would have threatened the Liberal Democrat administration.

Council leader Ian Thorn described it as 'the most important by-election in 40 years' and said the party had retained the seat 'with an increased share of the vote'. New councillor Lawrence Gillies said he was 'relieved, excited, happy, and proud' after his first election to office, adding he looked forward to meeting fellow councillors and getting to grips with the role.

How it is being reported

• Lib Dems hail 'fantastic result' after Salisbury double victorySalisbury Milford by-election: Liberal Democrats retain Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council seats as Mac Brown and Lawrence Gillies are elected.Salisbury Journal · 16 Oct, 17:00
• Lib Dems win 'most important' Salisbury by-electionWiltshire Council has been run by a minority Lib Dem administration since 2025.BBC Wiltshire · 16 Oct, 11:33
• Liberal Democrats retain both Salisbury Milford council seats in by-electionsMac Brown won the Wiltshire Council seat, while Lawrence Gillies was elected to Salisbury City Council.Salisbury Journal · 16 Oct, 00:07
• LIVE: Updates as voters head to polls in Milford by-electionsVoters head to the polls as voting opens for the Milford by-electionSalisbury Journal · 15 Oct, 09:56
• LIVE: Updates as count underway for Milford by-electionsVoters head to the polls as voting opens for the Milford by-electionSalisbury Journal · 15 Oct, 09:56
• LIVE: Lib Dems win to retain both Salisbury Milford seats at by-electionVoters head to the polls as voting opens for the Milford by-electionSalisbury Journal · 15 Oct, 09:56

In this story: Mac Brown · Lawrence Gillies · Alan Bayliss · Laura Jones · Ian Thorn · Liberal Democrats · Conservative Party · Salisbury

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem