Reform wins Bilston by-election on Wolverhampton Council

Reform UK has won the Bilston North by-election on Wolverhampton Council, with a 36 per cent swing from Labour.

Anita Stanley becomes Reform UK's first Wolverhampton councillor having polled 652 seats in the election called following the death of Labour's Councillor Sue Roberts.

It will be a disappointing result for both of the two main parties on Wolverhampton Council. Labour was comfortably beaten in the traditional Labour stronghold, while the Conservatives were pushed into fourth place behind the Greens.

Labour's Luke Guy polled 471 votes to take second place, narrowly ahead of Green Party candidate Hardev Singh on 438 votes..

Conservative Andrew Randle received 257 votes, with Liberal Democrat Julian Donald coming fifth on 55 votes. 

The turnout was just under 19.2 per cent.

Among the first to congratulate her after the result was announced was her campaign manager, former Labour councillor Celia Hibbert who now sits as an independent councillor for Penn ward.

"She is fantastic, thank you so much to everyone in Bilston North," said Councillor Hibbert.

Councillor Simon Bennett, leader of the Conservative group on Wolverhampton Council, said: "This by-election result confirms what we already knew - Labour has failed on a local and national level. 

"To lose Bilston North, one of their safest seats, shows that their failures go beyond politics. Whether it's doubling your car parking charges, hiking your taxes, or stripping your winter fuel allowance, this Labour council and government have failed our city and are failing our country. Us Conservatives will always stand up for our residents."

Paul Darke, leader of the Green Party in Wolverhampton, called on Wolverhampton Council leader Councillor Stephen Simkins to consider his position in the wake of the result and the controversy surrounding Councillor Greg Brackenridge, who stood down as chairman of West Midlands Fire Authority over claims he had falsely claimed to be an ex-commando with the Royal Marines.