Reform UK claims first elected seat on Wyre Council after James Crawford's Marsh Mill ward win in Thornton

Reform UK has claimed victory in Thornton’s Marsh Mill by-election - giving the party its first ever elected seat on Wyre Council.

James Crawford, for Reform, took the seat after voters went to the polls yesterday (Thursday, November 7).

The election was called following the resignation of Conservative member, Councillor Henry Jackson.

A close three-way battle was expected, with both Labour and Reform targetting Marsh Mill as a winnable seat.

The Reform man took the seat after polling 567 votes, ahead of the Conservatives’ Howard Ballard - the former Bourne ward member who lost his seat in the 2023 elections - who this time polled 449 votes.

Labour were third, with James Mason on 400 votes, with the Green Party’s Caroline Montague on 52.

Reform already has one sitting member on Wyre, Coun David Higgs, but he switched over to the party after being elected in as a Conservative candidate.

James Crawford said, after his win: “I thought it was going to be tough because Marsh Mill is such a Tory stronghold.

“I was in shock, to be honest, I got home and it was quite a lot to process.

“I think people are turning to Reform because they are losing faith with the two main parties.

“I think they see us as a common sense party - we’re saying what a lot of people are thinking.”

The turnout was 30.28%

Result:

James Crawford (Reform UK) 567 (Elected)

Howard Ballard (Conservatives) 449

James Mason (Labour) 400

Caroline Montague (Green Party 52)