Reform drag out a win in Salford

The latest updates on local electoral information are as follows.

Results

• Cornwall: The byelection in Newquay Porth and Tretherras division held on 23 April was won by Lyndon Harrison. Reform UK hold.
• Salford: The byelection in Barton and Winton ward held on 22 April was won by Michael Felse. Reform UK gain from Labour.

Defections

• Birmingham: Hendrina Quinnen, who was elected for the Labour Party in Handsworth ward, has joined the Birmingham Independent Councillors.
• Bridgend: Owain Clatworthy, who was elected for Reform UK in Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr ward but left the party last month, has now joined Restore Britain.
• Cheshire West and Chester: Jimmy Shannon, who was elected for the Labour Party in Whitby Groves ward but left the party in summer 2025, has joined the Green Party.
• Cornwall: Roger Tarrant, who was elected for Reform UK in Redruth North division, has joined Restore Britain; also Suzanne Desmonde, elected for Reform UK in Pool and Tehidy division, has left the party and is now a non-aligned Independent councillor.
• Lewes: Christina Bristow, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Seaford West ward, has joined the Green Party.
• Manchester: Amna Abdullatif, who was elected for the Labour Party in Ardwick ward but left the party in 2023, has joined the Green Party.
• Plymouth: Carol Ney, who was elected for the Labour Party in Southway ward but left the party in May 2025, has joined Reform UK.
• Rhondda Cynon Taff: Mike Powell, who was elected as an Independent councillor for Trallwng ward and remains Leader of the RCT Independent Group, has joined the Green Party.
• Scottish Borders: Mark Rowley, who was elected for the Conservatives in Mid Berwickshire ward, has left the party to sit as an Independent councillor.
• Vale of Glamorgan: Brandon Dodd, who was elected for Reform UK in Illtyd ward, has joined Restore Britain.
• West Berkshire: Adrian Abbs, who was elected for the Liberal Democrats in Newbury Wash Common ward but left the party in 2024, has formed the West Berkshire Residents group.

New vacancies

• Barnet: Mill Hill ward, after the resignation of Independent councillor Laithe Jajeh, who was elected for the Conservatives. As his term would have ended on 10 May, no byelection follows.
• Bradford: Idle and Thackley ward, after the death of Liberal Democrat councillor Jeanette Sunderland. Her term was due to end in May but she was a candidate for re-election.
• Essex: Springfield division, after the death of Liberal Democrat county councillor Mike Mackrory. His term was due to end in May but he was a candidate for re-election.
• Slough: Cippenham Green ward, after the resignation of Conservative councillor Robert Stedmond. Term ends 2027.
• South Lanarkshire: Larkhall ward, after the death of Labour councillor Lesley McDonald. Term ends 2027.

Dates for byelections

• Corporation of London: The byelection due for a Common Councilman in the ward of Coleman Street will be held on 4 June.
• Swansea: The byelection due in Fairwood ward will be held on 28 May.

Other updates

• Bradford: The election due on 7 May in Idle and Thackley ward has been postponed following the death of Jeanette Sunderland, the incumbent Liberal Democrat councillor and candidate for re-election.
• Essex: The election due in 7 May in Springfield division has been postponed to 18 June following the death of Mike Mackrory, the incumbent Liberal Democrat county councillor and candidate for re-election.
• Harborough: At an extraordinary council meeting on Monday, a motion to remove the Liberal Democrat/Labour/Green Party/Independent coalition was carried by 17 votes to 16, and a Conservative council leader elected. A minority Conservative administration has been formed.
• Hillingdon: The election due on 7 May in Hillingdon West ward has been postponed to 18 June following the death of Shaun Cooling, who had been nominated as a candidate for Reform UK.
• Melton: Following the resignation of the Labour council leader, the Labour/Independent coalition has been replaced by a Conservative/Independent one. The new leader was elected on the casting vote of the Mayor.
• Tamworth: The election due on 7 May in Wilnecote ward has been postponed following the death of Sian Foster, who had been nominated as a candidate by the Labour Party.

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