Reform UK is gearing up for a fresh by-election battle this week as the party looks to turn another safe council seat turquoise.
Nigel Farage's party will be duking it out in Stopsley, a leafy suburb in the north-east of Luton, Bedfordshire
Reform's sights will be set on winning the seat from the Liberal Democrats, who have held it for 14 years.
During the last Stopsley by-election in 2023, the Lib Dems saw a landslide victory, scooping 78 per cent of votes.
But will this year mark the end of the Lib Dem's clean run?
The candidates
There are a total of six candidates taking part in this by-election battle.
This includes Reform candidate, Jim Cohen.
Mr Cohen is the current Deputy Chair for Reform UK Luton North.
During his campaign, he has said he will stand on green issues if elected, including opposing decisions by the Labour-run Luton Council to cut down trees in the area.
Jim Cohen has said he will stand on green issues if elected
|FACEBOOK/REFROM UK LUTON NORTH
The local Reform UK group said: "Community advocate and long-time Stopsley resident Jim Cohen is running on the Reform UK platform of accountability, transparency, and putting residents first.
"Jim believes Reform UK are the only party capable of saving our country from the current state of decline it is in, as more and more people are turning their backs on the legacy parties, both locally and nationally.
“I’m running because Luton North deserves a councillor that listens, answers, and takes real action,” Mr Cohen added.
Nigel Farage's Reform UK is facing another by-election battle this week
|GETTY
Here is the full list of candidates:
- Jim Cohen - Reform UK
- Edward Carpenter - Green Party
- Matt Fry - Liberal Democrats
- Moazzem Hussain - Labour
- Roger Donald Harry Nichols - Conservatives and Unionist Party
- Marc Scheimann - Independent
The by-election is being held following the death of Lib Dem Councillor David Wynn in June.
Mr Wynn had served the Stopsley ward since 2019 and as Deputy Leader of the Luton Lib Dems since 2024.
Tributes poured in following his death, including from fellow Lib Dem Councillor, Amjid Ali, who said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this incredibly painful time.
"He was a likeable character and passionate about Luton.
"I am sure we will all agree that he had immense energy and a unique nature that earned him respect from everyone he came into contact with."