Reform UK has come under fire for triggering an early by-election in Barton and Winton, Salford, which cost more than £20,000, despite city-wide elections being scheduled just two weeks later. The by-election was necessitated by the death of long-serving councillor David Lancaster. Reform UK candidate Michael Felse secured the seat by a narrow margin of 33 votes.
The election was forced using a provision in the Local Government Act 1972 by another Reform UK candidate, Lewis Croden, and a relative, less than two months after the previous councillor's passing. Labour sources condemned the move as 'unnecessary', 'indefensible', and demonstrating a 'complete lack of decorum and respect', citing the financial burden and the proximity to the upcoming elections.
Lewis Croden defended the decision, stating that Salford has been 'taken for granted by Labour for years' and criticised the council's spending on various projects. The by-election results have sparked debate about the appropriateness of holding standalone elections so close to scheduled polls.
