Reform councillor wafted here from paradise

Posted by David Boothroyd
View David's blog
6 days ago / April 3, 2026

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

  • Bury: The byelection in Tottington ward held on 2 April was won by George Martin. Reform UK gain a seat held by a Together for Bury councillor elected as a Conservative.
  • Luton: The byelection in Wigmore ward held on 2 April was won by James Fletcher. Reform UK gain from Liberal Democrat.
  • North Devon: The byelection in Fremington ward held on 2 April was won by Jayne Mackie. Liberal Democrat gain from an Independent.
  • Rossendale: The byelection in Hareholme and Waterfoot held on 2 April was won by Laura Diamond. Green Party gain from Labour.

Defections

  • Argyll and Bute: Tommy Macpherson, who was elected for the Conservatives in South Kintyre ward but left the party in February 2023, has joined Restore Britain.
  • Brent: Ihtesham Afzal, who was elected for the Labour Party in Wembley Hill ward, has joined Your Party.
  • Bridgend: Owain Clatworthy, who was elected for Reform UK in Pyle, Kenfig and Cefn Criwbr ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
  • Calderdale: Leah Webster, who was elected for the Labour Party in Ryburn ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
  • Cannock Chase: Julie Aston, who was elected for the Labour Party in Heath Hayes and Wimblebury ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
  • Cheshire East: Kate Hague, who was elected for the Conservatives in High Legh ward, has left the party to sit as an ungrouped councillor.
  • Durham: Dawn Saunders, who was elected for Reform UK in Peterlee division, has left the party to sit as an ungrouped Independent councillor.
  • East Cambridgeshire: Lee Denney, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Stretham ward, has joined the Conservative Party.
  • High Peak: Neville Clarke, who was elected for the Labour Party in Whaley Bridge ward, has left the party to sit as a non-aligned Independent councillor.
  • Kensington and Chelsea: Eva Jedut, who was elected for the Labour Party in Dalgarno ward but left the party in 2023 and was previously a member of the Workers’ Party of Britain, has now joined Advance UK.
  • New Forest: Richard Young, who was elected for the Conservatives in Marchwood and Eling ward, has joined Reform UK. As a result the Conservatives no longer have an overall majority on the council.
  • Norfolk: Judy Oliver, who was elected for the Conservatives in Sheringham division, has left the party to sit as an Independent county councillor.
  • North Somerset: Andy Cole, who was elected as an Independent in Nailsea Golden Valley ward and had been a member of the Conservative and Independent group, has joined Reform UK.
  • Rossendale: James Eaton, who was elected for the Labour Party in Bacup ward but left the party group in December, has now returned.
  • Shropshire: Donna Edmunds, who was elected for Reform UK in Hodnet division but left the party in June 2025, has now joined Advance UK.
  • Staffordshire: Lynn Dean, who was elected for Reform UK in May Bank and Wolstanton division, has left the party to sit as an Independent county councillor.
  • Sutton: Tim Crowley, who was elected for the Conservatives in Carshalton South and Clockhouse ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
  • Westmorland and Furness: Michael Eyles, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Penrith South ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.

New vacancies

  • Cambridge: Trumpington ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Nadya Lokhmotova. Term ends 2028.
  • Cannock Chase: Hednesford Pye Green ward, after the resignation of Green Party councillor Liz Bishop. Term ends 2028.
  • Eastleigh: Chandler’s Ford ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor George Baker. Term ends 2027.
  • Exeter: Heavitree ward, after the resignation of Green Party councillor Carol Bennett. Term ends 2027.
  • Gloucestershire: St Mark’s and St Peter’s division, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat county councillor Dr David Willingham. Term ends 2029.
  • Halton: Daresbury, Moore and Sandymoor ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Mike Ryan. Term ends 2027.
  • Newcastle-under-Lyme: Knutton ward, after the resignation of Reform UK councillor Lynn Dean. As her term would have ended next month, there will be no byelection.
  • Redbridge: Chadwell ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Hannah Chaudhry. Her term was to have ended next month so she will not be replaced.
  • Rugby Bilton ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Lisa Parker. Term ends 2027.
  • Teignbridge: Dawlish South West ward, after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Mike James. Term ends 2027.
  • Tunbridge Wells: Sherwood ward, after the resignation of Labour councillor Vic Jones. Term ends 2027.
  • Tunbridge Wells: Southborough and Bidborough ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Brendon Le Page. Term ends 2027.
  • West Suffolk: Abbeygate ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Jo Rayner. Term ends 2027.
  • Wokingham: Wokingham Without ward, after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Jordan Montgomery. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

  • Cambridge: There will be a double vacancy election in Trumpington ward on 7 May.
  • Cannock Chase: There will be a double vacancy election in Hednesford Pye Green ward on 7 May.
  • Eastleigh: There will be a double vacancy election in Chandler’s Ford ward on 7 May.
  • Fylde: The byelection due in Kirkham ward will be held on 21 May.
  • Gloucestershire: The byelection due in St Mark’s and St Peter’s division will be held on 7 May.
  • Halton: There will be a double vacancy election in Daresbury, Moore and Sandymoor ward on 7 May.
  • Norwich: There will be a double vacancy election in Wensum ward on 7 May.
  • Reading: There will be a double vacancy election in Caversham Heights ward on 7 May.
  • Rugby There will be a double vacancy election in Bilton ward on 7 May.
  • Stratford-on-Avon: The byelection due in Bishops Itchington, Fenny Compton and Napton ward will be held on 7 May.
  • Tunbridge Wells: There will be a double vacancy election in Sherwood ward on 7 May.
  • Tunbridge Wells: There will be a double vacancy election in Southborough and Bidborough ward on 7 May.
  • West Suffolk: The byelection due in Abbeygate ward will be held on 7 May.
  • Wokingham: There will be a double vacancy election in Wokingham Without ward on 7 May.

Other updates

  • Since the beginning of the new local government year on Wednesday, the figures for Band D council tax have been updated for the year 2026/27.

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