Seven candidates have been confirmed to contest the Wigan council by-election for the Hindley Green ward, scheduled for Thursday, November 12. The election was called after the death last month of long-standing councillor Bob Brierley, who represented the ward for 22 years.
The seat became vacant following Brierley's death, and at least two eligible voters from the area requested a by-election in writing. Had those requests not been made, the seat would have remained vacant until the next local elections in May 2027.
Background to the by-election
Brierley, who served as an Independent, was widely known for his community work, earning him the nickname 'Mr Hindley Green'. His death prompted numerous tributes.
In May this year, Reform UK won the seat in the local elections, with candidate Liam Clarke polling 1,878 votes. Labour's John Vickers came second with 1,172 votes. Vickers, who lives in the ward and has previously represented it, will contest the seat again next month. He has also represented the borough on the Bee Network board.
Confirmed candidates
The full list of candidates for the November 12 by-election is as follows:
- Burley, David John – Liberal Democrat
- Clarke, Bonnie – Reform UK
- Jackson, Daniel James – Conservative
- Prescott, Mark – Independent
- Shepherd, Rebecca Lee – Restore Britain
- Smith, Nat – Green
- Vickers, John Melville – Labour
Bonnie Clarke, the Reform UK candidate, also lives in the ward. On her election page, she said she is 'passionate about supporting families, tackling crime and antisocial behaviour and protecting our green spaces'.
Rebecca Shepherd is the Restore Britain candidate. She came to prominence earlier this year when she was the party's candidate in the Makerfield parliamentary by-election won by Andy Burnham.
Impact on council control
The result of the by-election will not alter the control of the full council. Currently, Labour holds 38 of the 75 seats, Reform UK has 25 councillors, and Independents have 11, along with the single Hindley Green vacancy.
A third of seats on the council are set to be contested in local elections in May 2027.
