Nigel Farage looks to continue Westminster momentum with five seats up for grabs

Nigel Farage will be hoping to continue the momentum that has seen Reform's Westminster voting intention grow by one percentage point, reaching 28 per cent - a far cry from Labour and the Tories who languish at 18 and 17 per cent respectively.

From Blackpool to Cornwall, GB News has a closer look at this week's local by-elections taking place.

Greenlands (Blackpool)

We start at Blackpool Council, in the Greenlands ward.

The by-election was called after Labour Cllr Julie Jones announced she was stepping down.

"The role of a councillor demands a hundred percent commitment which I feel at this time I am unable to meet due to increasing demands from my family and health matters," she said.

"It would be unfair of me to continue in the role as I am now unable to give it the attention it deserves. I am grateful for the opportunity the residents have given me to serve them as their local councillor."

Labour MP Lorraine Beavers held the seat in last year's General Election for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, with. a vote share of 40 per cent and a majority of 4,647 votes.

Full list of candidates from Greenlands (Blackpool):

• Kev Benfold (Liberal Democrats)
• Jayden James Gaskin (Independent)
• Jonathan Morgan (Reform UK)
• Rick Scott (Conservatives)
• Hattie Tollerson (Labour Party)
• Brenden John Wilkinson (Greens)

St Columb Minor & Colan (Cornwall)

Next, we head to the south coast, Cornwall Council, in the St Columb Minor & Colan ward.

The by-election was triggered after the resignation of councillor Christine Parsonage, just five months after winning the seat.

The seat was one of 28 won by Reform UK at the local elections in May. However, Ms Parsonage later defected to a new independent group before deciding to stand down as a councillor for medical reasons.

Labour MP Noah Law won St Austell and Newquay's seat from the Conservatives in the General Election, with 34.1 per cent of the vote share and a majority of 2,470 votes.

Full list of candidates from St Columb Minor & Colan (Cornwall):

• Geoff Brown (Liberal Democrats)
• John Fitter (Independent)
• Mark Anthony Formosa (Conservative)
• Heinz Wolfgang Glanville (Reform UK)
• Stuart Charles Hinde (Labour)
• Nigel James May (Independent)
• Frances Mary Williamson (Greens)

Market Harborough Logan (Harborough)

Now, we head up to the midlands, specifically to Harborough Council and the Market Harborough Logan ward.

The by-election was called after Liberal Democrat Geraldine Whitmore stepped down for personal reasons, after serving the area for over three years.

She thanked residents for their support during her time in office.

In the General Election, Conservative MP Neil O'Brien held is seat for the third consecutive time in the Harborough, Oadby and Wigston district.

Full list of candidates for Market Harborough Logan (Harborough):

• Deborah Mary Bennett (Labour Party)
• Jake Oliver Bolton (Green Party)
• Robin Andrew Lambert (Social Democratic Party)
• Marion Ann Lewis (Liberal Democrats)
• David John Page (Conservative)
• Barry Reginald George Walton (Reform UK)

Broad Oak (South Ribble)

Back over to the northwest of England now, this time to the Broad Oak ward of South Ribble.

This by-election was called after Liberal Democrat Cllr Harry Hancock died, having represented the ward for more than two decades.

The 90-year-old was first elected in 2003, and will be remembered by colleagues as a "true gentleman".

In last year's general election, the South Ribble seat was snatched from the Tories by Labour MP Paul Foster, who won 42.5 per cent of the vote share with a majority of 6,502 votes.

Full list of candidates at Broad Oak (South Ribble):

• Clare Burton-Johnson (Liberal Democrats)
• Lee James Forshaw (Reform UK)
• Andy Rae (Labour Party)
• Gareth Paul Watson (Conservative)

Pakefield (Suffolk)

We finish in Suffolk, in the Pakefield ward.

The by-election was called after the death of Conservative Cllr Melanie Vigo di Gallidoro. She was first elected in May 2017 and then re-elected in 2021.

Councillor Jessica Fleming, Chairman of Suffolk County Council, said: "Over the years, she made a significant and lasting contribution to the Council’s work, but far more than that her commitment to the Broads Authority and the Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority was appreciated by all.

"Those who knew Melanie will remember her not only for her service, but for her warmth, kindness, and sense of fun. She had a rare ability to connect with all people, and her spirit and genuine decency transcended politics. She was, quite simply, lovely to work with and to know."

In 2024, Labour MP Jess Asato won the Lowestoft seat, with 34.6 per cent of the vote share and a majority of 2,016 seats.

Full list of candidates for Pakefield (Suffolk):

• Sonia Valerie Barker (Labour)
• June Alison Mummery (Reform UK)
• Letitia Smith (Conservative)
• Dom Taylor (Greens)
• Chris Thomas (Liberal Democrats)

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