A by-election has been called for a seat on Bolton Council that could determine which party becomes the official opposition at the town hall. Voters in the Horwich North ward will head to the polls on Thursday, July 2, just eight weeks after the recent local elections.
Reason for the By-Election
The by-election is necessary following the resignation of Ryan Bamforth, a former Independent councillor, who announced he was stepping down last month. Bamforth was originally elected under the Horwich & Blackrod First Party banner but later left the party and sat as an Independent. He was not up for re-election this May and had one year remaining on his term at the time of his resignation.
Potential Impact on Council Dynamics
The outcome of this election could decide which party becomes the second-largest group on the 60-member council and thus the official opposition to the Labour Party. Labour controls the council as the largest group, despite holding only 20 of the 60 seats. Currently, both the Conservatives and Reform UK have 10 members each, resulting in a deadlock over which group holds the official opposition status. If either Reform or the Conservatives win in Horwich North, they would become the second-largest party.
The Horwich & Blackrod First Independents party has also performed strongly in the ward in recent elections.
Candidates and Voting Details
Seven candidates have been declared for the election. Polling will take place between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM on July 2. The candidates on the ballot paper are from Reform UK, Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Horwich & Blackrod First Independents, and an Independent candidate.
Applications to register to vote must be submitted to Bolton Council by midnight on June 16.
Full List of Candidates
- Graham Dawson (Labour)
- Peter Hopkinson (Independent)
- Raymond Ndokwo (Conservatives)
- Wendy Parkinson (Reform UK)
- Nicola Salmon (Green)
- John Scoble (Horwich & Blackrod First)
- Scott Turner-Preece (Liberal Democrats)
