A Northumberland county councillor has lost his seat after failing to attend a single meeting in the last six months. John Allen, who was the councillor for Ashington's Hirst ward, was first elected in May 2025, initially for Reform UK.
However, he was expelled from the party following allegations he made online comments saying he wanted to shoot then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Mr Allen never commented on the allegations, which were made following an investigation by anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate.
By-election triggered in Hirst ward
It means a by-election will now be held in the Hirst ward. Historically a safe Labour seat, Mr Allen won the seat from Labour Co-op incumbent Ken Parry with a majority of 60 votes.
A notice published by the council and attributed to chief executive Dr Helen Paterson read: "A casual vacancy has occurred in the office of Councillor for the Hirst Division of Northumberland County Council. This vacancy has arisen following the failure of former councillor John Victor Allen to attend any meeting of the authority, its committees, or subcommittees for a consecutive period of six months. Their last recorded attendance being on February 18 2026 and no reason for their failure to attend was approved by the local authority before the expiry of that six-month period. In accordance with Section 86(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Local Authority has declared, and hereby declares, the office to be vacant."
Election deadline and council composition
The legislation requires a council to declare a councillor's seat vacant "immediately" if that member fails to attend meetings for six consecutive months without council approval. Under the same act, a by-election will be held within 35 days, excluding weekends and bank holidays. That means the election will need to be held by Thursday, October 8.
The Conservatives remain the largest party on the council with 28 seats - up two from the election after winning Cramlington South West from Reform in a by-election and Independent councillor Scott Lee's defection. Reform, which won 23 seats at the last election, remain the official opposition on 18 after three councillors were expelled, Coun Shaun Knowles resigned due to ill health and Amble's Coun Arty Hume sadly passed away. Labour are the third largest party with eight seats, followed by the Independent Group (seven), the Liberal Democrats (three) and the Greens (two).
A by-election will also be scheduled in the Amble ward, but a date is yet to be confirmed.
