Tories win Broxtowe by-election by five votes

Nottingham Conservatives celebrate as they win the Nuthall East and Strelley seat - pictured third from left is winner Judy Couch

The Conservatives edged out Reform UK by just five votes in a Broxtowe Borough Council by-election.

Judy Couch won the Nuthall East and Strelley seat with 405 votes, while Reform UK candidate Neil Isted received 400 votes.

Couch, a former teacher who sits on Nuthall Parish Council, said it was a "nail-biting" result after a recount that confirmed the win.

She will join the nine Conservatives who already sit on the borough council, which is run by the Broxtowe Alliance.

Conservative leader for the council, councillor Phillip Owen, came down for the results

The seat was previously held by Conservative Graham Hills, who stepped down last month after two years as a councillor.

The council said it was unable to comment on the reason for his resignation.

After a recount requested by Reform during the by-election on Thursday, the Conservatives were confirmed to have won.

Speaking after her win, Couch said she thought people had voted for her based on their preference for local government reorganisation.

Many local councillors in Broxtowe have opposed the borough joining the city boundary - which is proposed in both main options being considered by leaders.

"It was rather nail-biting towards the end, but I am so pleased to have won," she said.

"I think the people of Nuthall have made it clear they don't want to go in with the city boundary. A lot of people said it on the doorstep."

She said her priorities would be protecting the green belt and planning issues.

The authority is run by the Broxtowe Alliance, an independent party with 19 councillors.

The council also has three Liberal Democrats, five Broxtowe Independent Group members, seven Labour councillors and nine Conservatives.

Broxtowe Borough Council has been through major political change this year after 20 councillors quit Labour to create the Broxtowe Alliance.

The full results were:

Judy Couch (Conservatives) - 405

Tyrone Gall (Independent) - 21

Rachel Gravett (Green Party) - 70

Neil Isted (Reform UK) - 400

Graham Lambert (Broxtowe Alliance) - 275

Domenica Lopinto (Labour Party) - 244

Turnout for the election was 35%.