Nigel Farage faces crunch by-election test after Reform momentum hit by poll drop

Nigel Farage will be looking to overcome Reform UK's drop in the polls, while Sir Keir Starmer will be hoping to stop the rut the Labour Party finds itself in.

From Middlesbrough to Devon, locals are set to take to the voting polls. GB News takes a closer look at those by-elections coming up this week.

Stapleford South East (Broxtowe)

We start at Broxtowe Council, in the Stapleford South East ward.

The by-election was called after the death of Labour Councillor Ross Bofinger in August.

On Mr Bofinger's death, Broxtowe Council said: "Ross was a key figure in our local community, serving not only as a Councillor for the last few years but also during his long career as a teacher, a role in which he shaped the lives of countless young people.

"Perhaps most importantly, Ross was an incredibly kind and compassionate person who genuinely cared about people. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family."

Labour MP Juliet Campbell won in last year's General Election for Broxtowe, with a vote share of 40.9 per cent and a majority of 8,403 votes.

Full list of candidates for Stapleford South East:

• Keith Robert Bacon - Labour
• Bradley James Bell - Conservative
• Sarah Camplin - Broxtowe Alliance
• Lorraine Gerry - Independent
• Sunny Limbachia - Reform UK
• Simon Peter Roche - Liberal Democrats

Nunthorpe (Middlesbrough)

Now, we head further up north to Middlesbrough Council, in the Nunthorpe ward.

The by-election was called after the shock resignation of Liberal Democrat Councillor Morgan McClintock.

In a Facebook post in October, Mr McClintock confirmed his decision: "In this unstable environment, I have come to the conclusion that the residents of Nunthorpe should be given the opportunity of an election to choose the way forward. To achieve this, I have today informed Middlesbrough Council of my resignation as a Ward Councillor.

"I am sorry that my period as Councillor has had to end prematurely. It has been a great privilege to represent you by fearlessly challenging Middlesbrough Council at public meetings, and by working behind the scenes to resolve the many individual concerns you have brought to my attention."

Labour MP Luke Myer won the seat for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland in the 2024 General Election, with 43.3 per cent of the votes and a majority of 214 votes.

Full list of Nunthorpe (Middlesbrough) candidates:

• Sam Boardman - Green Party
• Richard Lewis - Labour
• Martin Lyon - Conservative
• Joanne Rush - Reform UK
• Adrian Walker - Liberal Democrats

Exmouth Halsdon (East Devon)

Next up, we head to East Devon Council, in the Exmouth Halsdon ward.

The by-election was called after Liberal Democrats councillor Andrew Toye died in September.

Chair of Exmouth and Exeter East Liberal Democrats, councillor Tim Dumper, said: "We will all regret the premature loss of Andrew - he will leave a huge hole.

"As fellow councillors in Halsdon Ward, we have worked closely together over a number of years. As a ward councillor he has always stood up for the interests of residents, and as someone with a strong background in politics, he was able to add considerably to debates at both councils."

Conservative MP David Reed held the Tories' seat at the 2024 General Election, with a decreased vote share of 21.1 per cent, and a majority of just 121 votes (0.2 per cent).

Full list of Exmouth Halsdon (East Devon) candidates:

• Paula J Burtoft - Conservative
• Fran McElhone - Liberal Democrats
• Tony Quinn - Reform UK
• Tony Woodward - Green Party

Winkleigh (Torridge)

Next, it's to Torridge Council in the Winkleigh ward.

The by-election was called due Conservative Councillor Simon Newton's resignation after moving out of the area.

Conservative MP Geoffrey Cox won the seat for Torridge and Tavistock in the 2024 General Election, with 31.6 per cent of the votes, and a majority of 3,950 votes.

Full list of Winkleigh (Torridge) candidates:

• Michael Graham Jarvis - Reform UK
• Stephen Thomas Middleton - Liberal Democrats
• Benjamin Moses Roth - Conservative

Tudor (Watford)

Finishing up, we head to the capital. Specifically, to Watford Borough Council, in the Tudor ward.

The by-election was called after Liberal Democrats Councillor Charlott Saunders, elected in May 2023, was unable to attend council meetings for over six months.

A spokesman for Watford Borough Council said: "For personal reasons, Cllr Saunders, a councillor for Tudor Ward, has been unable to attend meetings over the past six months and, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, has now ceased to hold their office as a member of Watford Borough Council.

"This decision reflects the statutory requirements that govern eligibility for elected office, which are in place to uphold the integrity and trust placed in local government."

Liberal Democrats MP Sarah Olney held her seat for Richmond Park in the 2024 General Election, with 54.6 per cent of the votes, and a majority of 17,155 votes.

Full list of Tudor (Watford) candidates:

• Michael Graham Jarvis - Reform UK
• Stephen Thomas Middleton - Liberal Democrats
• Benjamin Moses Roth - Conservative

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