Heworth by-election – Labour holds York Council seat

Labour candidate Anna Perrett won with 1,096 votes, almost 500 votes ahead of Reform’s John Crispin-Bailey who finished second with 601 votes.

Ms Perrett told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) she was proud of the result which she said showed the ruling Labour group was acting on residents’ concerns.

Labour council leader Cllr Claire Douglas told LDRS it showed her party was the one which was able to stop Reform.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Ms Perrett’s victory in the election held on Thursday, January 15 means that Labour remains in control of the council with a majority of one.

The vote was called in December after incumbent Labour councillor Ben Burton announced he was standing down due to leaving York for work.

The election comes amid a rise in support for Reform nationally, which is currently leading in the polls.

Green candidate Ben Ffrench came third in the by-election with 591 votes, followed by Liberal Democrat Ian Eiloart who won 528.

Conservative Emma Dolben received 118 votes, with independent Emma Hardy getting 49.

Speaking to LDRS after the results were declared, Ms Perrett said she was humbled by the result.

She added the cost of living had been one of the main themes on the doorstep.

The newly-elected councillor said: “By-elections are always a bit of a referendum but the scale of our result compared to the other parties shows a team who back residents’ concerns are going to win, rather than people who just turn up for the election.”

Labour leader Cllr Douglas said the result was a vote of confidence in her party’s administration.

The leader said: “I’m really happy, the result’s bucked the national trend and I’ve enjoyed speaking to the people of Heworth and I was confident that they would recognise our hard work.”