Runcorn and Helsby by-election - all you need to know

A key Westminster by-election is set to be held in Runcorn and Helsby.

Voters will head to the polls in the Cheshire constituency on 1 May, the same day as local elections in much of England.

The by-election has been triggered by the resignation of Mike Amesbury, who was convicted earlier this year of assaulting a constituent.

What is the make-up of Runcorn and Helsby?

Runcorn and Helsby includes the towns of Runcorn, Frodsham and Helsby, as well as various villages and a significant rural area.

In total, 22% of the constituency is classed as a built-up area, 60% rural and 14% as water or wetland.

It has a population of 93,520, with 21% of residents under 18, 57% aged 18-64 and 21% over 65.

What is the electoral history of the constituency?

Runcorn and Helsby is a new constituency that was only created in time for the general election in July 2024.

More than half of it (51.2%) came from the former constituency of Weaver Vale, with 37.1% from Halton and the remainder from three other former constituencies - Ellesmere Port and Neston, Eddisbury, and City of Chester.

At the 2024 general election, the seat was won by Labour with 52.9% of the vote, a majority of 14,696.

Reform UK came second with 18% of the vote, ahead of the Conservatives on 16%, the Green Party with 6.4%, and the Liberal Democrats with 5.1%.

Two smaller parties received 1.4% between them.

Who are the candidates?

A total of 15 candidates are standing in the by-election

Listed alphabetically, they are as follows:

• Catherine Anne Blaiklock (English Democrats)

• Dan Clarke (Liberal Party)

• Chris Copeman (Green Party)

• Paul Duffy (Liberal Democrats)

• Peter Ford (Workers Party)

• Howling Laud Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party)

• Sean Houlston (Conservatives)

• Jason Philip Hughes (Volt UK)

• Alan McKie (independent)

• Graham Harry Moore (English Constitution Party)

• Paul Andrew Murphy (Social Democratic Party)

• Sarah Pochin (Reform)

• Karen Shore (Labour)

• John Stevens (Rejoin EU)

• Michael Williams (independent)

The BBC asked all of the candidates to record "minute manifestos" - you can watch them by clicking here..

What rules are in place?

Since May 2023, voters have had to show a valid form of photo identification at polling stations to vote in person.

Anyone who does not have photo ID can apply for a free voter authority certificate, and the deadline to apply for this is 23 April.

The deadline to apply for someone to vote on your behalf if you cannot get to a polling station is also 23 April.