Latest news with #NewarkWest
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Conservatives win by-election after Reform councillor quit
The Conservatives have retaken a seat on Nottinghamshire County Council in a UK won in the Newark West division at the local elections in May, but the winning councillor stepped down after less than a Girling, who had represented the area for the Conservatives previously, reclaimed it on Thursday with a majority of just 8 votes."It's showing the Conservatives aren't dead. We're alive and kicking and we're going to work hard for our communities," he said. He added that the circumstances under which the by-election was called had "a bit of an impact.""We've knocked on a lot of doors and some of those that voted Reform [in May] were very angry at the fact he resigned," he said."It's cost about £25,000 to run this election, from a party that said they're going to save money."The Newark MP Robert Jenrick said he was "absolutely delighted" at the result."It's the first time anywhere in the country that the Conservative Party has won a seat off Reform, so I'm sure the eyes of the country will be on Newark once again," he by-election went to a recount but there was no change in the full results were:Keith Girling (Conservative) - 680Caroline Hinds (Reform UK) - 672Paul Taylor (Labour) - 316Matthew Spoors (Green) - 190Rosemary Johnson Sabine (Liberal Democrats) - 90Andrew Leatherland (Social Democratic Party) - 11Turnout was 21.99%.The result does not change who is in control of the county council because Reform already had enough seats for a majority, with 41 of the 66 Conservatives are the next largest group and now have 18 seats, while Labour have Ashfield Independents, the Broxtowe Alliance and the Broxtowe Independent Group each have one won a rescheduled election in Mansfield last month, which had been rearranged after the death of a candidate.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform councillor in Nottinghamshire quits one week after election
A Reform UK councillor has stepped down a matter of days after being Clarke won in the Newark West division last week, helping Reform take control of Nottinghamshire County party has now confirmed, however, that he has resigned his BBC has attempted to contact Mr Clarke for comment. In a post on Facebook, Reform UK Newark said: "Significant recent changes to Desmond's personal circumstances have led him to conclude that he is not in a position to deliver the level of service to the people of Newark West that they deserve and require." Lee Smith, the chairman for the party's branch in Newark, said: "We all wish Desmond well in the future and thank him for his contribution to the success of Reform UK in the local elections."A by-election will now be triggered for the Newark West division, but a date has not been a video uploaded to YouTube before the election, Clarke said if elected he would "ensure Newark's voice is heard loud and clear" and "fight for our fair share of resources".His resignation has been criticised by Conservative group leader and former council leader Sam Smith."Seven days after fighting an election on a promise to cut spending and waste, the Reform County Councillor for Newark West has resigned which will result in the triggering of a by-election that will cost taxpayers thousands of pounds," he won 40 of the 66 seats which make up the county council last party has declined to comment other than to say it will contest the won the seat with 35.9% of the vote and a majority of 153, beating the Conservatives' Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Keith Reform UK group on the county council are due to choose a leader from among their ranks on Monday.
