Reform UK wins first Newark council seats

Kay Smith and Michelle Home were elected to Newark and Sherwood District Council after a by-election

Reform UK has won its first seats on Newark and Sherwood District Council after a by-election.

Michelle Home was elected to the Castle Ward in Newark, beating the Conservatives by just 11 votes, while Kay Smith was elected to Balderton North and Coddington ward.

The by-election was triggered after Green Emma Oldham and Independent Adrian Amer stood down.

Smith said she was "totally delighted and honoured" to win the seat.

'Thrilled' by victory

The council is run by Labour and the Independents for Newark and District Group.

Labour fell behind in both seats and were beaten by the Greens in the Balderton North and Coddington ward.

Both newly elected councillors declined interviews with the BBC but made speeches after their wins.

"I am totally thrilled to make history as the first declared Reform UK councillor for Newark and Sherwood District Council," Smith said.

"The people have spoken, the people want change and I am so pleased that they have put their faith in me."

After a recount in the Castle Ward, Home pipped the Conservatives to win the seat.

Sam Smith, Conservative leader of the opposition on Nottinghamshire County Council and councillor for Newark East attended the count and concluded the electorate had "voted on national issues".

"What the Conservatives did quite rightly was tell people that these elections are about who is in charge of your planning, your council tax and who will upgrade your parks," he said.

"The electorate have said thank you very much but all we care about is stopping the boats, so we are going to vote Reform. Nobody locally can stop the boats."

The results in full

Balderton North and Coddington

Janette Barlow, Conservatives - 480 votes

Tracey Jevons-Hazzard, Labour Party - 101 votes

Martin James Lunn, Green Party - 173 votes

Kay Smith, Reform UK - 545 votes

Turnout - 25.26%.

Castle Ward

Lisa Geary, Labour Party - 88 votes

Jane Harrison, Independent - 74 votes

Michelle Home, Reform UK - 204

Alla Musson, Liberal Democrats - 70 votes

Bee Newboult, Green Party - 61 votes

Glenis Rix, Independent - 14 votes

Mathew Skinner, Conservatives - 193 votes

Turnout - 26.54%.