Reform is the King of the Castle

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Ashford: The byelection in Rolvenden and Tenterden West ward held on 25 September was won by Guy Pullen. Green Party hold.
• Breckland: The byelection in Thetford Castle ward held on 24 September was won by Grahame Middleton. Reform UK gain from Labour.
• Highland: The byelection in Caol and Mallaig ward held on 25 September was won by Sammy Cameron as an Independent candidate. He takes a seat previously held by the Scottish Green Party.
• Highland: The byelection in Tain and Easter Ross ward held on 25 September was won by Connie Ramsay. Liberal Democrat gain from Scottish National Party.
• Manchester: The byelection in Woodhouse Park ward held on 25 September was won by Zoe Marlow. Green Party hold.

Defections

• Doncaster: Dave Knight, who was elected for Reform UK in Thorne and Moorends ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Dundee: Christina Roberts, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in East End ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Durham: Jack McGlenen, who was elected for Reform UK in Dalton and Dawdon division, has been expelled from the party.
• Enfield: Mustafa Cetinkaya, who was elected for the Labour Party in Haselbury ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent member.
• Horsham: Tony Hogben, who was elected for the Conservatives in Colgate and Rusper ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Kingston-upon-Hull: Peter North, who was elected for the Labour Party in Bricknell ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Kirklees: Paul Moore, who was elected for the Labour Party in Dewsbury East ward but left the party in May 2024 and had been in the Community Alliance group, has now become an Independent councillor.
• Leeds: Zara Hussain, who was elected for the Labour Party in Roundhay ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Pembrokeshire: Jordan Ryan, who was elected for the Labour Party in Fishguard North East division, has left the party to sit as an unaffiliated councillor.
• Perth and Kinross: Grant Laing, who was elected for the Scottish National Party in Strathtay ward and was leader of the council until this week, has left the party following a criminal charge.
• Swindon: Sean Wilson, who was elected for the Labour Party in Lydiard and Freshbrook ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Waverley: Tony Fairclough, who was elected for the Farnham Residents in Farnham Heath End ward, has joined the Liberal Democrats. He remains deputy leader of the council as the two groups were in coalition.

New vacancies

• Canterbury: Wincheap ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Roben Franklin. Term ends 2027.
• Cheshire East: Macclesfield Central ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Ashley Farrall who was elected for the Labour Party but suspended when charged with a criminal offence. Term ends 2027.
• Dumfries and Galloway: Stranraer and the Rhins ward, after the impending resignation of Democratic Alliance councillor Willie Scobie. Term ends 2027.
• East Lindsey: Chapel St Leonards ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Stephen Evans. Term ends 2027.
• North Somerset: Long Ashton ward, after the resignation of Green Party councillor Stuart McMillan. Term ends 2027.
• South Derbyshire: Seales ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Gareth Jones. Term ends 2027.
• Vale of White Horse: Ridgeway ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Barrow. Term ends 2027.
• West Lothian: Whitburn and Blackburn ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor David Russell. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

• Barnet: The byelection due in Hendon ward will be held on 30 October.
• Harborough: The byelection due in Fleckney ward will be held on 6 November.
• South Derbyshire: The byelection due in Seales ward will be held on 6 November.
• Tunbridge Wells: The byelection due in St John’s ward will be held on 30 October.

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