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  "path": "/politics/reform-candidates-by-election-battles-breach-rival-heartlands",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-11T00:01:04.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Membership",
    "Reform UK vows to scrap heat pump grants in push for tax cuts",
    "How Nigel Farage's 'Donald Trump problem' risks narrowing Reform's path to power",
    "Keir Starmer's relationship with Donald Trump 'is over', warns Nigel Farage",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nReform UK is readying for battle across Britain this week, where they will be fighting to acquire five seats in local council by-elections - none of which have been contested by the party before.\n\nThe party has its eyes set on the Penrith South ward in Westmorland and Furness, Abingdon Abbey Northcourt ward in Vale of White Horse, Sleaford Westholme ward in North Kesteven, Aigburth ward in Liverpool, and The Beeches ward in the Cotswold.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFour of the five regions are entirely new territory for the party, with zero Reform representation on any of the councils besides North Kesteven in Lincolnshire, where two Reform councillors stick out among a sea of Conservatives.\n\nReform is looking to topple the Liberal Democrats, who are defending three of the five seats - as the party is known as a formidable force for it's prowess in local elections.\n\nNigel Farage's party is one of the fastest growing in the UK, alongside Zack Polanski's Greens, with its sights set on winning seats across Britain and \"little England\", having recently expressed interest in areas of Scotland and Wales.\n\nReform placed second at the Gorton and Denton by-election - a hair ahead of Labour, who had held the area of Manchester as a stronghold for decades.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n### Sleaford Westholme (North Kesteven)\n\n\n\n\nFirst, we're in Lincolnshire, with a by-election happening in the Sleaford Westholme ward of North Kesteven Council - the only region where Reform already has a stake.\n\nThis by-election was called following the death of Councillor Ann Mear, who represented the ward since 2023 and was a member of the Lincolnshire Independents Group.\n\nKath Marriott, Chief Executive of North Kesteven Council, said: “Throughout her service on the council, Councillor Mear represented her community with passion and drive, and was committed to helping the district and its people on issues that mattered to them.\n\n\"She will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with her family and friends\".\n\nReform has two members already on the council, being councillor Amelia Bailey and councillor Nikki Dillon - hoping to add a third by winning the vacant seat this week with candidate Sandy Buchanan.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOn a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the Sleaford and North Hykeham constituency, represented by MP Caroline Johnson, Conservative.\n\nShe has held her seat since 2016, having retained it in the most recent 2024 General Election with a majority of 4,346 votes.\n\nThe two-party system is in jeopardy across Lincolnshire, with recent polls putting Reform out front with a 56 per cent share.\n\nLabour will not be fielding a candidate in this by-election.\n\n**_THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN SLEAFORD WESTHOLME_**\n\n  * Anthony Brand - Independent\n  * Sandy Buchanan - Reform UK\n  * Dave Darmon - Lincolnshire Independents\n  * Susan Elizabeth Hislop - Lib Dem\n  * Ian Leach - Green\n  * Alex Tugwell - Independent\n  * Mark Webster - Conservative\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### The Beeches (Cotswold)\n\n\n\n\nNext, we're in the Cotswolds, with a by-election happening in The Beeches ward of Cotswold Council - a territory unchallenged to Reform, until now.\n\nThis by-election was called after the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Robbins, who had served since 2015.\n\nJane Portman, chief executive officer at Cotswold Council, said: \"I would like to thank Councillor Robbins for his dedicated service and excellent representation of his residents, particularly for his recent leadership as Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee. We wish him well for the future.\n\n\"Taking part in local democracy is important, and I would encourage residents of The Beeches ward to ensure they are registered to vote and to take part in the by-election\".\n\nReform is fielding their first candidate in the region, Mackenzie Jayne Vaughn, challenging the Lib Dems who dominate the council, and won the seat in 2023 with 55.5 per cent of the vote share.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOn a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the South Cotswolds constituency, represented by MP Roz Savage of the Liberal Democrats - further demonstrating the party's hold in the region.\n\nShe secured her seat in the most recent 2024 General Election with a majority of 4,973 votes.\n\nThe Lib Dems operate a stronghold in the Cotswolds, with recent polls expecting the party to retain the seat with a whopping 72 per cent vote share, with Reform claiming a mere 12 per cent.\n\n**_THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN THE BEECHES_**\n\n  * Paul Evans - Lib Dem\n  * Bob Irving - Green\n  * Joshua Littler-Jennings - Labour\n  * Ben Shaw - Conservative\n  * Mackenzie Jayne Vaughn - Reform\n\n\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Reform UK vows to scrap heat pump grants in push for tax cuts\n  * How Nigel Farage's 'Donald Trump problem' risks narrowing Reform's path to power\n  * Keir Starmer's relationship with Donald Trump 'is over', warns Nigel Farage\n\n\n\n### Aigburth (Liverpool)\n\n\n\n\nOver in Liverpool, a by-election is happening in Aigburth ward of Liverpool Council.\n\nThis by-election was called after Liberal Democrat councillor Dave Antrobus stepped down from his position on the local authority for health reasons, first elected as a city councillor in 1996.\n\nAnnouncing his decision to step down, Mr Antrobus said: “It’s not a decision I thought I would have to make, but I am glad that I have a great successor in Dave Thomas.\n\n“It’s been an absolute privilege to have been a councillor over the years\".\n\nReform is fielding their first candidate in the region, Harry Glen Gallimore-King, challenging the Lib Dems who dominate the council, and won the seat in 2023 with 50.3 per cent of the vote share.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOn a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the Liverpool Waverly constituency, represented by MP Paula Barker of the Labour Party.\n\nServing since 2019, she secured her seat in the most recent 2024 General Election with a whopping majority of 16,304 votes.\n\nWith public support of the Labour party dwindling as a result of Sir Keir Starmer's government, Ms Barker could well lose her seat in the 2029 General Election - clinging on to 46 per cent of the vote share in polls, with The Greens hot on her tail with 44 per cent.\n\n**_THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN AIGBURTH_**\n\n  * Craig Carden - Independent\n  * Jim Davies - Labour\n  * Harry Glen Gallimore-King - Reform\n  * Chris Hall - Conservative\n  * Paul Ruddick - Green\n  * Dave Thomas - Lib Dem\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### Penrith South (Westmorland and Furness)\n\n\n\n\nUp near the Lake District a by-election is happening in Penrith South of Westmorland and Furness Council.\n\nThis by-election was called after the retirement of councillor Virginia Taylor, who served from 2022 and vacated her position due to health issues.\n\nCouncillor Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: \"Virginia has been a consistent and passionate advocate for rural communities, arts and culture and libraries, as well as leading the vital work of developing a new unified local plan for the whole council area.\n\n“She has been a significant influence in the shaping of our new authority and we will miss her involvement.\n\n“I want to take this opportunity to personally thank Virginia for her insight, input and dedication and wish her well for the future, on behalf of us all at the council.\"\n\nThe Lib Dems currently control the council, and won the seat in 2022 with 44.7 per cent of the vote share.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOn a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the Penrith and Solway constituency, represented by Labour MP Markus Campbell-Savours since 2024.\n\nHe secured his seat in the most recent 2024 General Election with a majority vote share of 5,257.\n\nWith public support of the Labour party dwindling, Mr Campbell-Savours could well lose her seat in the 2029 General Election - clinging on to a mere 27 per cent of the vote share in polls, with Reform racing ahead with 54 per cent support.\n\nLabour will not be fielding a candidate in this by-election.\n\n**_THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN PENRITH SOUTH_**\n\n  * Emilia Louise Hoffmann - Green\n  * Michael John Houston - Reform\n  * Barbara Jayson - Lib Dem\n  * Maiki Tolmie - Conservative\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### Abingdon Abbey Northcourt (Vale of White Horse)\n\n\n\n\nFinally, a by-election is happening in Abingdon Abbey Northcourt ward within Vale of White Horse Council.\n\nThis by-election was called after the resignation of Green Party councillor Cheryl Briggs, who served as mayor of the town from 2021 to 2022.\n\nOne tribute online read: \"Cheryl has been a brilliant councillor, and Aidan is a worthy replacement\".\n\nLuis Enrique Prado will be Reform UK's first candidate in the region, looking to replace the defending Greens who have put forward Aidan Reilly, and challenging the Lib Dems who dominate the council, and won the seat in 2023 with 40.4 per cent of the vote share.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOn a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency, represented by Lib Dem MP Layla Moran, having served since 2017.\n\nShe retained her seat in the most recent 2024 General Election with an enormous majority of 14,894 votes.\n\nMs Moran is more than likely to retain her seat in the forthcoming 2029 General Election, with recent polls showing a huge 82 per cent share of voter support for the well-revered MP - and with no other candidates in sight.\n\n**_THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN PENRITH SOUTH_**\n\n  * Chris Palmer - Conservative\n  * Caleb Daniel Pell - Lib Dem\n  * Luis Enrique Prado - Reform\n  * Aidan Reilly - Green\n  * Stephen Edwin Dominic Webb - Labour\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Reform field FIVE candidates in by-election battles in bid to breach rival heartlands across Britain"
}