Reform UK now has a seat on Darlington council after winning a by-election yesterday (Thursday 11 December) at Red Hall and Lingfield ward. The ward was formerly Labour: the previous incumbent Amanda Riley had resigned due to ill health. This time Labour came fourth.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Reform’s Michael Walker scooped up 341 votes, followed by Tory Kyle Bartch and Liberal Democrat Simon Thorley who both gained 157 votes. Labour’s Jonnie Vasey received 152 votes. The Green Louise Maddison collected 89 votes with Independent Monty Brack trailing with nine votes.
Even for a council by-election the turnout was miserable-at 27%, with 907 people voting.
The result increases the pressure on the town’s Labour administration. With 23 seats the party now has to deal with 13 Tory councillors, six Greens, five Independents two Liberal Democrats and one Reform.
