Greenlands by-election: Reform UK sweep to resounding win in Blackpool Council poll

Voters in Bispham have given Reform UK a third councillor in Blackpool after a resounding victory in last night’s Greenland’s by-election.

The party’s candidate, Jonathan Morgan, polled almost twice as many votes as the second placed contender to take the Bispham seat.

The new councilor, who polled 44 per cent of the vote, said people wanted change and had made their feelings 2 clear at the ballot box.

Six candidates were contesting the seat on Blackpool Council, which bacame vacant in October after the resignation of labour member Cllr Julie Jones, who had represented the ward since 2023.

On a cold and rainy December day, the turnout was expected to be low but at 24.7 percent, it was a little higher than anticipated.

They results were:

*Jonathan MORGAN (Reform UK) 587 (Elected)

*Rick SCOTT (Conservative) 299

*Hattie TOLLERSON (Labour) 289

*Brenden John WILKINSON (Green Party) 79

*Kev BENFOLD (L iberal Democrats) 45

*JaydenJames GASKIN (Independent) 22

Jonathan Morgan said: “I’m exceptionally pleased. It was hard to predict, it wasn’t a massive a turnout becauseof the weather.

“People on the doorstep were saying they wanted a change and I was listening.”

He said in his election message: “I’ve lived in Greenlands ward for the past three years and in Blackpool for the past 20 years. I am also chairman of the Greenlands PACT group.

“The wasteful spending of council taxpayers’ money has to stop—along with the ever-increasing council tax rises. I’m committed to fighting for real change, we can make Blackpool better for everyone.”