Some voters exercised their democratic right to vote in the latest council by-elections but others were deterred by snow and bad weather.
Low turnouts were recorded in all four local contests in different parts of the UK. Councils said they were unable to postpone the polls under the law.
Great result given the unusual weather. Big thanks to all Exmouth voters who made it.
And on behalf of all, enormous thanks to the Returning Officer and staff for their diligence and commitment .@eastdevon https://t.co/rwIGkXeWnM
— East Devon LibDems (@EastDevonLibDem) March 2, 2018
The Liberal Democrats narrowly held a seat in the Exmouth Town ward of East Devon District Council, where the turnout was 12.4%.
The Conservatives comfortably held two seats at Basingstoke and Deane (Kempshott ward), where the turnout was 20.6%, and at Solihull (Blythe), where the turnout was 15.8%.
Results from the Blythe by-election which took place yesterday are in! James Robert Butler (Con) 1,252, Sardul Singh Marwa (Lab) 224, Charles Robinson (LibDem) 174. Conservative hold the seat. Turnout was 15.82% pic.twitter.com/cUegOX1rDJ
— Solihull Council (@SolihullCouncil) March 2, 2018
North of the border, the SNP held a seat at Clackmannanshire (Clackmannanshire North), where the turnout was the highest of the four by-elections at 24.7%.
Clackmannanshire Council said in a statement on its website ahead of polling: “Advice from the Electoral Commission is that there are no provisions in law for the adjournment or abandonment of a poll or to postpone it due to adverse weather. Voters are advised to take extra care.”
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