Tories win both Blackpool by-elections

The party held onto Highfield ward, which had become vacant following the death of longstanding Tory councillor Lily Henderson, with candidate Bradley Mitchell receiving more than half the vote.

In Norbreck, the seat returned to the Conservative party with candidate Julie Sloman topping the poll.

The seat has traditionally been in Tory hands but became independent at the last local elections. It became vacant following the death of former council leader Peter Callow.

Conservative group leader Coun Tony Williams said the result reflect local issues and “had nothing to do with Brexit or any other national item.”

He added: “What an absolutely fabulous result here in Blackpool and across the UK.

“We have two new Conservative councillors in the town in Norbreck and Highfield and both smashed the vote count.

“I congratulate both candidates for an excellent campaign and for all the hard work they and the back room teams have undertaken.”

The full results are:

Highfield (turnout 37 per cent)

Bradley Mitchell (Conservative) 982 votes; Christine Wright (Labour) 498 votes; Robert Wynne (Independent) 192 votes; Becky Daniels (Green Party) 55 votes; Kim Knight (Reform UK) 40 votes; Bill Greene (Liberal Democrats) 22 votes.

Norbreck (turnout 39 per cent)

Julie Sloman (Conservative) 963 votes; Pam Haslam (Independent) 480 votes; Julie Jones (Labour) 378 votes; Simon Jowitt (Liberal Democrat) 82 votes.

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