Reform faces crunch ballot box test against huge rivals as shock data reveals problem for Nigel Farage

Alice Tomlinson
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:02:52 +0000
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Reform UK is preparing to face a crunch ballot box test against the Liberal Democrats in a huge test for Nigel Farage's party in the South West of England.

Voters in the Newquay Porth & Tretherras ward will head to the polls to vote for a new councillor tomorrow.

The by-election was called after the tragic and sudden death of Reform councillor Kevin Towill.

Mr Towill, who was just 46 years old, tragically died in February after suffering from a brain tumour.

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Condolences have poured in following the councillor’s death, including Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, who said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the news.

Mr Farage said: “He will always be commended for his bravery and principles. My thoughts are with his friends, family and fellow Reform colleagues at this time."

Politicians from other parties also shared heartfelt messages. Noah Law, Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay, took to social media to share his sympathies.

He said: “Whilst I can’t of course pretend for a moment to agree with his politics, Kevin was a genuinely decent man who, especially following his illness, threw himself into his work and helped secure local campaigning victories - working effortlessly together with those of us of all political stripes to get things done in the community like Nansledan.”

Mr Towill was also former mayor of Newquay and returned to politics after receiving the brain tumour diagnosis in January 2024.

Despite not being able to walk or talk for six months, he pursued local politics from his sick bed, calling his council laptop “a lifeline”.

He said at the time: “My councillor laptop was a lifeline. Being able to keep working helped distract me from everything I was going through."

In 2025, Mr Towill won the seat, taking 37.9 per cent, equating to 704 votes.

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Total votes were 1,859, with a 33 per cent turnout.

Cornwall Council published the notice of vacancy on March 13, announcing a vacancy in the office of unitary councillor for the Newquay Porth & Tretherras electoral division of the local authority.

The local authority is currently controlled by the Liberal Democrats and Independents.

On a parliamentary level, the Newquay Porth & Tretherras ward sits within the St Austell & Newquay constituency.

Mr Law, who is the MP for the constituency, won the seat in 2024 with a 2,470 majority.

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN NEWQUAY PORTH & TRETHERRAS

Abigail Jane Hubbucks - Green Party

Lyndon Harrison - Reform UK

Oli Kimber - Conservative Party

Sandy Carter - Liberal Democrats

Suzanne Featherstone - Labour and Co-operative Party

Topher Chard - Independent

However, shock data released ahead of this week's by-election contests revealed the importance of Reform UK's defence.

Despite claiming victory in the 2025 Local Elections, Reform UK's retention rate has now slipped below 50 per cent.

Mr Farage's party has defended 15 seats since the 2025 Local Elections, successfully holding onto just seven.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have defended 35 out of 44 wards.

Zack Polanski's Green Party also managed to defend eight out of 15.

Reform UK fared better than both the Tories and Labour, with the big two registering retention rates of just 31 per cent and 23 per cent respectively.