Six candidates are running in the battle to win a key seat in an Oldham town next month. On November 12, voters across parts of Failsworth will be going to the polls to choose their next councillor. The by-election was called after Mark Wilkinson, the former leader of Reform UK in the borough, stood down for health reasons.
Background to the by-election
Reform Oldham saw widespread success at the May local election, propelling the party's presence from a fringe group to the second biggest in Oldham council. The Failsworth West ward, which is being contested, was represented by three of the party's councillors before Mr Wilkinson stood down.
The upcoming by-election could be a key test for Reform UK following 'personal and demeaning attacks' on social media while for Labour, it will be a test of whether Prime Minister Andy Burnham is winning back voters. The election is also against the backdrop of the council's ongoing stalemate about who should lead it.
Candidates and polling stations
The upcoming by-election will see Reform looking to hold onto the seat and fend off Restore Britain. For Labour, it will be a test of whether Prime Minister Andy Burnham is winning back voters following May's devastating result for the party in Oldham.
The candidates running in the election are as follows:
- Chris Baddeley – Reform UK
- Stephen Eric Davenport – The Conservative Party
- Pete Davis – Labour and Co-Operative Party
- Rob Gunn – Restore Britain
- Andrew Kevin Jones – Green Party
- Lynne Christine Thompson – Liberal Democrats
Polls will be open between 7am and 10pm. Six polling stations will be open, which are:
- Mather Street Primary School, Mather Street, Failsworth, Manchester
- Failsworth Town Hall, Oldham Road, Failsworth
- Billy's Bar (formerly Failsworth Home Guard), Poplar Street, Failsworth
- The Millgate Function Room, Ashton Road West, Failsworth
- Ridgefield Community Centre, Ridgefield Street, Failsworth
- York Hall, Holy Family Community Centre, Lord Lane, Failsworth
