Reform in attack and defence as five key by-elections lay in the balance for Nigel Farage's party

The Tory-turned-Reform councillor won with 47.3 per cent of the vote, taking the position from Labour, which only secured 26.7 per cent of the vote.

This week, Reform is on the attack in four councils, looking to snatch seats from Labour, the Tories, and Independent candidates again.

Mr Farage's party is on the defensive in Lake North, under the authority of the Isle of Wight council.

Following the resignation of Reform councillor David Maclean, who resigned just months in the position, Bill Nigh will look to keep the seat turquoise.

Mr Maclean is now the 22nd councillor to leave, resign or be suspended from the party but despite this, Reform has gained 209 seats since the May 2024 elections, adding to the 677 they claimed.

Mr Farage's party will be looking to extend to their 886 seats they currently boast this week, with five by-elections and six seats up for grabs (and one they're defending).

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Hutton South - Brentwood

The only Conservative seat up for grabs this week is in Hutton South under Brentwood Council.

Standing for Reform UK is housing expert, turned political commentator, and TV host, Russell Quirk.

In his statement to voters, Mr Quirk said he "will fight against all of the failures" in Brentwood and "expose the huge financial waste that exists within our local authority".

Thomas Bridge has the task of trying to retain the seat for the Tories, as he faces challenges from four candidates.

Hutton South - Brentwood candidates:

• Thomas Bridge - Conservatives
• David Hale - Green Party
• Brenner Munden - Liberal Democrats
• Russell Quirk - Reform UK
• Jonathan Saunders - Labour Party

Russell Quirk previously speaking on GB News as he brands Labour 'hypocrites' for asking landlords to rent properties for illegal migrants

Strawberry Ward - Cheshire West and Chester

Following Labour Councillor Gareth Gould's resignation, six candidates are standing, including Jason Moorcoft, the former Runcorn and Helsby candidate for Reform UK.

Mr Moorcoft finished 2nd behind ex-Labour MP Mike Amesbury in 2024, who was later ousted after an assault conviction in March.

Sarah Pochin won the by-election in the constituency, becoming the first female Reform MP, winning by just six votes.

Mr Moorcroft will be looking to follow in Mrs Pochin's footsteps as he enters his third election as a Reform candidate.

Strawberry Ward - Cheshire West and Chester candidates:

• Paul Richard Bowers - Green Party
• Kris Fisher - Labour Party
• Nicholas Hebson - Conservatives
• Lizzie Jewkes - Liberal Democrats
• Ray McHale - Independent
• Jason Moorcroft - Reform UK

Lake North - Isle of Wight

The only seat where Reform is on guard is in Lake North on the Isle of Wight.

Reform councillor David Maclean resigned from the position, which Cllr Andrew Garratt from the Liberal Democrats complained about, saying: "This is the second time Lake North residents have been asked to choose a councillor in a few months - and the second time taxpayers are footing the bill."

Reform UK's Cllr Caroline Galdwin defended her party, saying Mr Maclean's resignation was due to the opponents who "attacked [him] without mercy".

Bill Nigh has the task of retaining the seat as he pledges to "restore pride in our community and put residents first".

Lake North - Isle of Wight candidates:

• Bob Blezzard - Liberal Democrats
• Christopher Lloyd - Labour Party
• Robert May - Green Party
• Bill Nigh - Reform UK
• Adrian Whittake - Conservatives

Harrietsham Lenham and North Downs - Maidstone

The biggest election of the week is in Harrietsham Lenham and North Downs, in Maidstone, with three seats up for grabs.

After the resignations of Tom and Janetta Sams and Kathy Cox, a trio of Independent seats are available for 15 candidates to go after.

Notably, no Labour candidates are standing, with the Greens, the Lib Dems, the Tories and Reform all fielding three hopefuls.

Malcolm Mackay, a spokesman for Maidstone South East Labour Branch, said: "The branch believes that the residents of Harrietsham, Lenham and North Downs Ward would best be served by local independent candidates."

Harrietsham Lenham and North Downs - Maidstone candidates:

• Sam Burrows - Liberal Democrats
• Andrew Cockersole - Liberal Democrats
• Jennifer Horwood - Liberal Democrats
• Onyekachuku Chukwuma - Conservatives
• Darcy Rotherm - Conservatives
• Callum Sweetman - Conservatives
• Gary Butler - Independent
• Sam Lawernce-Rose - Independent
• Sean Turner - Heritage Party
• James Snyder - Green Party
• Callum Sweetman - Green Party
• Reshmi Kalam - Green Party
• Steve Povey - Reform UK
• Chris Houlihan - Reform UK
• Mariela Nedelcheva - Reform UK

Wigan Central - Wigan

Following the passing of the long-serving councillor George Davies, six candidates are standing for the vacant seat.

Veteran Lee Moffit is standing for Mr Farage's party, telling voters: "As a veteran (eight years service as a Royal Military Policeman), married with five sons and two granddaughters, I can no longer stand by and watch our town and country be systematically destroyed by Labour and Conservatives alike.

"Despite winding down to retirement, events forced me to stand up and be counted. As a passionate Wiganer, the constant deterioration of my hometown was the final straw.

"It's with a fresh spring in my step and newly acquired optimism, as the Wigan Central candidate for Reform UK, that I am determined to make Wigan great again!"

Wigan Central - Wigan candidates:

• Adam Boon - Labour Party
• John Burley - Liberal Democrats
• Gareth Fairhurt - Wigan Independents
• Paul Martin - Conservatives
• Lee Moffit - Reform UK
• Simeon Rowlands - Green Party