Labour and Reform UK face their next electoral challenge in the North East, with the local by election on 20 November in South Bank ward,  in the Teesside borough of Redcar and Cleveland. The by-election is being held in the wake of the resignation of Labour Councillor Izzy Attwood due to ill health.

South Bank is traditionally a safe Labour seat. But as Reform UK soars in the national polls could they snap up a council position this time round? 

At the last local election in May 2023, Labour candidates won the two South Bank seats with 67.5% and 59.8% of the vote respectively. The also-rans were two Independents and one Conservative.

There was no threat then from Reform, who have just won a council seat at the Skelton East byelection with their greatest share ever of the vote.

However, the Skelton East win was over Conservatives in a formerly safe Tory seat. At South Bank, Reform takes on a safe Labour ward.

Candidates

Teesside Live reports that Jeffrey was a councillor for Redcar and Cleveland Council from 2009-2023, and was council leader from 2015 to 2019.

Standing for Reform is Adam Jones. He is presented on his election Facebook page as a “local lad”, having gone to a local school and working for a firm in Cargo Fleet, up the road.

The Conservatives are fielding Richie Kerr-Morgan. His Facebook page mentions that he organises markets in Eston. Kerr-Morgan is also promoted as South Bank born and bred.

Both the Liberal Democrats and the Greens are sitting the poll out, conserving energy and resources for other battles they say.

The local Greens co-ordinator Edward Shoemark-Banks told us:

“We are currently focusing on strengthening our local organisation, supporting new members, and developing the campaigns that we hope will make a real positive difference. I’m very optimistic that we will have more to say in upcoming elections!”

The Lib Dem leader Cllr Jemma Joy told us,

“This time the Lib Dem local party chose not to field a candidate in this particular by election and instead concentrate on working hard for the residents we already represent across the Borough.”

So this was not a tactical voting strategy to support Labour and keep the Tories and Reform at bay.  

Policies

What will the good people of South Bank be voting for?

Jeffrey’s priorities in her Facebook posts are crime and community safety especially in light of recent disturbances in nearby Grangetown.

The Reform candidate’s Facebook page claims that Reform is a party with “fresh ideas”. What those ideas are for South Bank remains a mystery. 

Kerr-Morgan’s Facebook page identifies his community priorities: “safer streets; cleaner neighbourhoods; stronger local voice in council decisions”

Balance of power

Will a loss of one Labour seat have any impact on who runs Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council?

The council is currently run by a minority Labour administration with 20 seats in an arrangement with the LibDems who have nine. With 16 seats already taken by Independents, the Tories with 13, and Reform with one, any shift to the right could be a threat.

A Reform victory at South Bank could indicate a Labour wipeout at the next full local election in 2027.

Redcar and Cleveland has 39.3% of its children growing up in poverty. To address the issue the Labour authority has established a wide-ranging Poverty Strategy.

How ironic would it be if South Bank – one of the poorest wards- were to reject a party that was actively trying to alleviate poverty?

How to vote

The ward turnout at the last local election was just 24% or 835 souls. As this is a one-off by election, we might expect fewer voters.

There are just two polling stations which will be open 7am to 10pm on polling day.(8)

Postal votes are available and must be submitted by 10pm on polling day. They can even be delivered to a polling station. Applications to the Electoral Officer for postal votes must be received by 5pm on 5 November.

Voters in person have to present photographic ID. The choice of accepted photo IDs is far wider than a current passport or driving licence. They include the Older Person’s Bus Pass, the Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, and the PASS card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram. 

The Ministry of Defence Form 100 (HM Armed Forces Veteran Card) can now be used as ID at elections. 

Even out-of-date documents will be accepted so long as the bearer still resembles their photo.

If you don’t have a voter ID you can get a Voter Authority Certificate.

The full range of acceptable photo IDs and advice on how to get a Voter Authority Certificate can be seen on the Electoral Commission website.

The easiest way to register to vote is by applying online on the government  website.