County Council elections and South Shields by-election liveblog

Welcome to the County Council and South Shields by-election liveblog. We’re bringing you all of the results and rumours from now until Friday evening – so stay tuned, and stay in touch.

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[liveblog]

‘The Sherriff of Wild Westminster: what must change in elections bill’

British democracy is facing a crisis of confidence. With the dark tendrils of the Epstein files reaching deep…

Francis Bell & Susan Hawley

28th February, 2026, 6:00 am

Analysis

‘The hope that kills you’: Reflections from the final day in Gorton and Denton

Once again, I boarded the Avanti West Coast service from London Euston back to my home city of…

James Tibbitts

27th February, 2026, 2:07 pm

News

MPs, union leaders and organisations react to ‘bruising’ Gorton and Denton result

MPs, trade union leaders and Labour-linked organisations have expressed their disappointment and anger following the party’s dismal result…

Daniel Green

27th February, 2026, 11:43 am

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