In the week that Rachel Reeves is coming under fire on her pre-Budget announcements, Labour could falter in another set of by-elections across the country.
Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats will be looking to keep up their momentum after a wave of successes in recent by-elections.
However, with a YouGov poll suggesting Labour is closing the gap on Reform, Sir Keir Starmer’s party will hope to pull a shock result out of the bag.
GB News has dissected this week’s by-elections in another set of Super Thursday showdowns.
Buckhaven, Methil & Wemyss Villages (Fife)
Starting our by-election preview north of the border, where there’s a seat up for grabs on Fife Council in the Buckhaven, Methil & Wemyss Villages ward.
The by-election was called after councillor David Graham was convicted of and jailed for sexually assaulting and grooming a 15 year-old girl.
Procurator fiscal for Tayside, Central and Fife Helen Nisbet said: “David Graham saw an opportunity to systematically groom and sexually abuse a vulnerable young girl, who had the right to be safe in his company.
“He cynically and deliberately took advantage of an unbalanced power dynamic to commit these offences over the course of several months.
“Graham has now been held accountable following this prosecution, and I give thanks to the victim for giving evidence which helped secure this conviction.”
In Holyrood, the ward is within the Kirkcaldy constituency which the SNP gained from Labour in 2011. At Westminster, the ward falls within the Glenrothes and Mid Fife constituency which Labour’s Richard Baker won in 2024, with a 2,954 majority over the SNP’s John Beare.
The full list of candidates standing in the Buckhaven, Methil & Wemyss Villages ward:
- Kieran Anderson (Sovereignty)
- Anne Marie Caldwell (SNP)
- Mark Davies (Reform UK)
- Donna Donnelly (Labour)
- Brian Mills (Conservative)
- Jill Reilly (Liberal Democrat)
- Christine Watson (Alba)
Councillor David Graham was jailed
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POLICE SCOTLAND
Fleckney (Harborough)
Into Leicestershire now, with a by-election in Fleckney ward following the resignation of long-serving Conservative councillor Stephen Bilbie last month.
Leader of the Conservative group Simon Whelband said: “Steve will be deeply missed at the Council after more than a decade of dedicated service as a councillor.
“He cared passionately about the people of Fleckney and the surrounding villages in his ward, always putting their needs first.
“During the pandemic, he also took on the demanding role of the Council’s ceremonial head, a responsibility he carried out with great commitment in the most challenging of times.
“On behalf of the Conservative Group at Harborough, I extend our heartfelt thanks and wish Steve and his wife every happiness for the future.”
The council has been under no overall control since the 2023 election, being run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Greens.
The village falls in the Harborough, Oadby and Wigston constituency, held by Shadow Minister, Neil O’Brien.
The full list of candidates standing in the Fleckney ward:
- Jonny Austin (Reform UK)
- Peter Critchley (Conservative)
- Jessie Jenkins (Green Party)
- Helen Morrison (Labour Party)
- Stephen Walkley (Liberal Democrats)
Councillor Emma Oldham resigned from the role earlier this year
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Balderton North & Coddington (Newark & Sherwood)
Sticking with the East Midlands and a journey up the A46 to Nottinghamshire and the by-election in the Balderton North & Coddington ward.
The by-election was called Councillor Emma Oldham was elected in 2023 and stood for the Independents for Newark and District group, before she quit to join the Green Party in September last year.
She said: “For those who know me well, you will understand that I have been living with a health condition that I was diagnosed with not long after being elected.
“I have worked hard to try and ensure this did not affect my role, but over time, it has become increasingly challenging. Many days have stretched to 16 hours without pause.
“Too often, I have missed my children’s bedtimes and found myself pulled between competing responsibilities.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent my ward over the past two years.
“I will always be grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me, who came to me with their concerns, and who shared their ideas and hopes for our community. Your support has meant more than I can put into words.”
The Nottinghamshire council is run run by a partnership of Labour, the “Independents for Newark and District” group and the Liberal Democrats.
At Westminster, the corresponding Newark seat is represented by Shadow Justice Secretary, Robert Jenrick.
The full list of candidates standing in Balderton North & Coddington:
- Janette Barlow (Conservative)
- Tracey Jevons-Hazzard (Labour)
- Martin James Lunn (Green Party)
- Kay Smith (Reform UK)
Councillor Emma Oldham and Adrian Amer stood down from the Nottinghamshire constituency
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Castle (Newark & Sherwood)
On the other side of the Nottinghamshire town, Adrian Amer has resigned as councillor for the Castle ward.
Mr Amer stood for the grass-roots Independents for Newark and District group upon his election in 2023, before he too defected to stand independent of any group.
He also stood as an independent candidate in the 2024 General Election against Mr Jenrick, finishing sixth.
Mr Amer has been contacted by the Newark Advertiser for comment, but it is understood he stepped down for “personal reasons.”
The full list of candidates standing in the Castle ward:
- Lisa Geary (Labour)
- Jane Harrison (Independent)
- Michelle Elizabeth Home (Reform UK)
- Alla Musson (Liberal Democrats)
- Bee Newboult (Green Party)
- Glenis Rix (Independent)
- Mathew James Skinner (Conservatives)
Seales (South Derbyshire)
One more in the East Midlands, and the Seales ward in South Derbyshire is up for grabs after a councillor caused a political bombshell after using his casting vote to break a deadlock and approve a controversial battery energy farm in Overseal.
Councillor Gareth Jones said: “Refusing this would be nothing other than a temporary reprieve.
“It is very clear that if we refuse this it will go to appeal and we would lose and probably have costs awarded. It would be a futile gesture.”
He resigned as a councillor shortly after.
The district council is controlled by Labour, with 21 councillors, followed by the Conservatives with the largest opposition on 11 councillors, two Liberal Democrat councillors and one independent councillor.
At Westminster, the corresponding South Derbyshire seat was won back by Labour for the first time since 2005 after Samantha Niblett beat the incumbent Conservative Heather Wheeler with a majority of 4,168.
The full list of candidates standing in Seales:
- Ian Baker (Reform UK)
- David Bell (Conservative)
- Benjamin Hayes (Liberal Democrat)
- Marie Haywood (Labour)
- Michelle Ulyatt (Green Party)
- Graham Wood (Independent)
Lingfield & Crowhurst (Tandridge)
Down to east Surrey now with the first of a double header on Tandridge Council, with a by-election taking place in the Lingfield & Crowhurst ward following the resignation of Councillor Julie Duggan from the ruling Residents’ Alliance group.
The council is run by the Oxted and Limpsfield Residents Group (OLRG) in coalition with some of the independent councillors to form the Residents’ Alliance.
At Westminster, Shadow Minister for Women Claire Coutinho retained the Surrey East she first won in 2019 with a reduced majority of 7,450.
The full list of candidates standing in Lingfield & Crowhurst:
- Freyja Jayne Chapman (Labour)
- Paul Nicholas Greenhalgh (Conservative)
- Judy Moore (Independent)
- Alan Gerard Schmidt (Lingfield & Crowhurst Residents)
- Julia Florence Searle (Reform UK)
- Dave Wilkes (Liberal Democrats)
Westway (Tandridge)
Crossing the M25 up the A22, there’s a by-election going on in the Westway ward in Caterham on the Hill after the resignation of independent councillor Ankita Sharma.
Ms Sharma wrote on social media: “I wanted to share that I have stepped down from my role as councillor.
“It’s been a real privilege to serve and represent my ward, and I’m grateful for the support and kindness I’ve received along the way.
“Thank you to everyone who has made the experience worthwhile and I hope to continue serving communities in the future.”
The full list of candidates standing in Westway:
- Sarah Barwick (Reform UK)
- Robin Brian Clements (Labour)
- Martin Redman (Liberal Democrats)
- Ethna Webster (Conservatives)
Okehampton South (West Devon)
Last but not least for this week’s by-election roundup, we’re headed to the northern edge of Dartmoor and a defence for the Green Party.
The council is currently led by a coalition of the independent councillors, Greens, Liberal Democrats and Labour.
At Westminster the matching Central Devon constituency was won by Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride who beat Labour’s Ollie Pearson with a majority of just 61 votes.
The full list of candidates standing in Okehampton South:
- Jan Goffey (Liberal Democrats)
- Lois Esther Samuel (Conservative)
- Julie Yelland (Independent)
