Labour has thwarted Reform UK's ambitions to become the main opposition on Bury Council, after winning the final seat in the Moorside ward. The result marks the end of a successful local election campaign for Labour.
Councillor Sandra Walmsley retained her seat with 1,308 votes, while Reform UK's Alan Derby finished second with 1,030 votes. The Workers Party of Britain, expected to be a dark horse, came third with 609 votes. Turnout stood at 39 percent.
Coun Walmsley, who has represented the ward since 2010, said: "I'm delighted to have been re-elected again after 16 years of being a councillor here. I think it's testament to the hard work that we've done over the last 16 years with the red route and skatepark and family hub."
She highlighted priorities for the coming months and years, including highways, fly tipping, road resurfacing, and supporting families and children.
The outcome is a blow for Reform UK, which had hoped to become Bury Council's main opposition group. Instead, the party remains tied with Radcliffe First, each holding six seats.
Council leader Eamonn O'Brien said Labour had proven it can beat Reform in Bury by focusing on local issues. He said: "We have shown we can beat Reform here in Bury by focusing in on the things that matter to local residents."
O'Brien added: "We want to make sure people have good housing, good town centres, good high streets. We want to make sure we're cracking down on dodgy shops and building council housing again."
The Moorside vote was postponed from May 7 after the unexpected death of Reform candidate Victor Hagan.
Bury Council now comprises 31 Labour councillors, six Reform, six Radcliffe First, three Conservatives, two independents, two Together for Bury, and one Workers Party of Britain.
Full Moorside results:
- Jill Budgen, Bury Independents – 61
- Alan Derby, Reform UK – 1,030
- Jihyun Park, The Conservative Party Candidate – 108
- Conor William Craig Priestley, The Green Party – 200
- Sandra Walmsley, The Labour Party – 1,308
- Yasin Aamer, Workers Party of Britain – 609
