Reform UK could make further gains at the ballot box on Thursday as seven local council seats are up for grabs across the UK.None of the seven seats up for by-election are currently held by Nigel Farage’s party.The Greens, Conservatives, Labour, and the Liberal Democrats are defending seats.GB News has taken a closer look at the seats up for grabs tomorrow.
Macclesfield Central – Cheshire East
Six candidates will battle it out for the Labour-held seat on Cheshire East Council.Labour’s candidate James Barber-Chadwick represented Broken Cross and Upton on Cheshire East Council until 2023 when he chose not to go for re-election.His party has held the seat since winning it in 2019 and 2023.The Tories are also putting forward a former councillor with Beverley Dooley. She lost the seat to Labour in 2019.Ashley Farrall resigned from her position last month, prompting the by-election.Full list of candidatesJames Barber-Chadwick – Labour PartyStephen Laurence Broadhead – Liberal DemocratsBeverley Anne Dooley – Conservative and Unionist PartyJohn Anthony Knight – Green PartyAlan Miles – Reform UKKim Slater – Equality PartyJames Barber-Chadwick is aiming to be re-elected to the council after stepping down in 2023 | MACCLESFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
Stanraer and The Rhins – Dumfries and Galloway
The seat was held by the longest-serving councillor in Dumfries and Galloway, Willie Scobie.He has since stepped down after being elected into office eight times as a Labour candidate – although most recently being a non-aligned one.”Old age doesn’t come itself,” he said to the BBC about his decision to stand down.”It’s time to let someone else enjoy their time representing people.”Mr Scobie said he would keep fighting for local issues outside of the local authority.Full list of candidatesJulie Currie – Conservative and Unionist PartyMichael Havard – Scottish Green PartySimon Allen Hugh Jones – Scottish National Party (SNP)John Peter McCutcheon – Labour PartyJohn Roberts – Reform UKGisele Skinner – Heritage PartyShaun Smith – IndependentWillie Scobie has stepped down after spending 37 years as a councillor | DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY COUNCIL
Ashdown and Conquest – East Sussex
Aidan Fisher will be looking to snatch the seat for Reform UK | WHO CAN I VOTE FOR?The by-election for Ashdown and Conquest will be contested by six candidates.The Conservatives will be looking to defend the seat tomorrow with Caroline June Kerswell as the candidate.Reform UK’s Aidan Fisher will be looking to use his experience in the financial industry and service as an officer in the Territorial Army to capture the seat for Nigel Farage’s party.According to Hastings and Rye Reform UK’s post, “Aidan is deeply concerned about the state of our council’s finances and local services”.Full list of candidatesAidan Christian Fisher – Reform UKMartin Paul Griffiths – Liberal DemocratsRicky Hodges – IndependentCaroline June Kerswell – Conservative and Unionist PartyAmanda Pollard – Labour PartyPaula Warne – Green Party
South Bank – Redcar & Cleveland
It is a three-way battle for a seat in tomorrow’s by-election in South Bank.Labour is looking to defend the seat with Susan Jennifer Jeffrey standing as its candidate.She has said in a video posted on social media, according to TeesideLive, that she has “lived in South Bank for 45 years”.”I’ve obviously been a councillor for South Bank, I care about this area, more than anything else really, it’s where I live, it’s where I brought up my son,” she added.Labour MP for Redcar Anna Turley has endorsed Ms Jeffrey, saying she is a “proper South Bank legend”.Reform UK’s Redcar branch said the party was “absolutely delighted” to be putting forward Adam Jones.“He’s a brilliant bloke who’s not only passionate about his community but also his country,” the party’s Facebook page wrote.Richie Kerr-Morgan said he was proud to be representing the Conservatives.Full list of candidatesSusan Jennifer Jeffrey – Labour PartyAdam Jones – Reform UKRichard Kerr-Morgan – Conservative and Unionist Party
Quinton / Salford Priors and Alcester Rural – Stratford-on-Avon
Two by-elections will be held tomorrow as voters head to the polls in Stratford-on-Avon.The pair of by-elections were prompted by two resignations from Stratford District Council.Dominic Skinner of the Liberal Democrats in Quinton stepped down as well as Lauren Stanley of the Conservatives in Salford Priors and Alcester Rural.Mr Skinner said he resigned due to significant changes in his role with the British Reserve Armed Forces.Conservative group leader Daren Pemberton said he was “gutted to see Lauren leave the council”, adding she was passionate, empathetic and an effective community leader.There will be five candidates vying for the position in Quinton and also five candidates in the Salford Priors and Alcester Rural seat.Full list of candidates – QuintonSean Edmunds – Reform UKPaul Harrison – Liberal DemocratsJohn William Hartigan – Labour PartySarah Gail Hession – Conservative and Unionist PartyPenny Stott – Green PartyFull list of candidates – Salford Priors and Alcester RuralJulie Fewins – Labour PartyTom Genders – Green PartyAshley Jones – Reform UKJustin Anthony Lee Kerridge – Conservative and Unionist PartyHuw Lewis – Liberal Democrats
Hale – Trafford
Green candidate Orla Weir will be looking to retain the seat for the Greens | WHO CAN I VOTE FOR?Five candidates will be battling it out in the upcoming by-election in the Hale ward tomorrow.It comes after councillor Owain Sutton resigned from Trafford Council.He was elected in 2023 and represented the Green Party, but, he decided to step down due to health challenges.”I have faced a series of health problems, both physical and mental,” he said according to AltrinchamToday.”This has made it harder to represent residents as well as they deserve, so it is appropriate to pass the responsibility on.”Full list of candidates – Salford Priors and Alcester RuralPhil Holt – Reform UKNatalie Shalom – Conservative and Unionist PartyClare Sheridan – Labour PartyJason John Stack – Liberal DemocratsOrla Weir – Green Party