Reform UK to challenge establishment in four by-elections tomorrow as parties wrestle for control ahead of major acid test

Fintan Starkey
Tue, 31 Mar 2026 23:01:02 +0000
Membership

A big shake-up could take place this week as Reform faces a litmus test this week ahead of the May elections.

Four seats, all controlled by different parties, are on the cards this week, in key areas across the country.

The Liberal Democrats are not sitting in one of the areas, but otherwise, it will be a fight between all the major parties, with shocks likely.

With a mix of parties in power, who has the best chance in each area this week?

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Tottington, Bury

Following the resignation of Councillor Luis McBrair, two requests were made by registered electors in Tottington for a by-election.

Councillor McBrair was elected as a Conservative candidate in 2021, but resigned to take on a new role requiring political neutrality.

Conservatives had held a stronghold on the area with Councillor McBrair; this will be the first by-election where Reform stands for a seat within the ward. The previous election saw the Tories take a 46 per cent majority, with Labour only receiving 29 per cent of the vote.

Labour, Reform, the Greens, and the Conservatives will all contest the seat, with a local candidate also stepping up.

Notably, the Liberal Democrats have chosen not to put someone forward for the seat, electing to focus their attempts elsewhere.

Tottington, Bury candidates:

Drew Keanu Bell - Labour

Greg Keeley - Together for Bury

Chloe King - Green Party

Emma Elizabeth Lee - Conservative

George Henry - Reform UK

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Wigmore, Luton

A by-election has been called in Wigmore after a Liberal Democrat councillor failed to attend any local authority meetings for more than six months.

According to a report from Luton Council’s administration and regulation committee, Alan Skepelhorn was absent between July 15 2025 and January 20.

The council's democracy manager Debbie Janes said: "Under the rules, the law requires this committee [to] declare a vacancy in [the] Wigmore ward and we proceed to a by-election.”

She added: “bringing in a more formal process to help warn councillors if [they are] nearing the six-month period.

“We've no option other than to proceed in accordance with the law, if this occurs, as set out in the legal implications.”

Six parties will contest the seat, with Reform, Labour, Lib Dems, the Tories, the Greens and an independent

Wigmore, Luton candidates:

George Neculalu - Liberal Democrats

Sam Choudhury - Conservative

Carolyn Cottier - Green Party

James Flectcher - Reform UK

Georgia Marcantonio - Labour

Marc Scheimann - Independent

Fremington, North Devon

The by-election in Fremington is set to be a win for one of the major political parties after the death of the popular independent councillor, Neil Denton, who died last month.

Cllr Denton had served on the council since 2023 and was described as a “true gentleman” by members, whose knowledge and expertise were invaluable.

With no independent candidates running, it will be a straight fight between the five main parties.

In previous elections, the vote share has been close between the Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems, with Reform not standing previously, this may be the most intriguing ward of the week.

Fremington, North Devon candidates:

Jules Credgington - Green Party

Susan Christine Kingdom - Conservative

Jayne Irene Mackie - Liberal Democrats

Douglas James McLynn - Labour

Derek Sargent - Reform UK

Hareholme & Waterfoot, Rossendale

A seat arose after the resignation of Councillor Tom Belli, he had not attended a full council meeting since November 2025, and resigned in February.

A council spokesperson said: “Tom Belli has resigned as a councillor, having decided to move permanently to Sicily.

“Tom has not claimed any allowances as a councillor since September 2025.

“He last attended a meeting of the Full Council in November 2025.”

In the previous election Labour held a large majority, with the Greens and Tories fighting for second, the addition of Reform and the Lib Dems means the vote could be significantly different.
Hareholme & Waterfoot, Rossendale candidates:

Clive Balchin - Reform UK

Keith Alan Bardsley - Liberal Democrat

Laura Diamond - Green Party

Matthew Thomas Littler - Conservative

Cathy Tinston - Labour