The Conservatives have regained the Bosmere division on Suffolk County Council following a closely contested by-election on Thursday 12 November 2026.
Kay Oakes won 762 votes, defeating Green candidate Adria Pittock by just 23 votes. Reform UK, which won the division in May, finished third with 400 votes. The result is a Conservative gain from Reform UK.
Bosmere by-election: full results
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
| Kay Oakes | Conservative | 762 | 33.2% |
| Adria Pittock | Green | 739 | 32.2% |
| Patrick Wegener | Reform UK | 400 | 17.4% |
| Nigel Mills | Restore Britain | 182 | 7.9% |
| Attila Borzak | Liberal Democrats | 109 | 4.7% |
| Saffeen Yamulki | Labour | 106 | 4.6% |
| Total valid votes | 2,298 | 100% |
Vote totals reported by Ipswich.co.uk on 13 November 2026 and corroborated by PollCheck. Percentages calculated from valid votes.
Conservatives regain seat lost in May
The vacancy arose after the resignation of Reform UK councillor Gary Keogh, who won the seat in May 2026 with 1,241 votes. Keogh cited changing personal and family circumstances and work commitments.
Oakes previously represented Bosmere on the county council, and has also served as a Needham Market town councillor and town mayor.
Reform UK falls to third place
Reform UK received 17.4% of valid votes, down from approximately 33.5% in May. The Conservative share rose from 19.4% to 33.2%, while the Greens increased their share from 29.4% to 32.2%.
Turnout was approximately 27%, compared with 44.65% in May. The different turnout levels mean changes in vote shares cannot be treated as proof of how individual voters switched parties.
Greens narrowly miss victory
Adria Pittock received 739 votes, just 23 fewer than the Conservative winner. The Greens also finished second in May, when they received 1,090 votes and were 151 votes behind Reform UK.
Restore Britain finished fourth with 182 votes, followed by the Liberal Democrats on 109 and Labour on 106. The result does not establish how Restore Britain voters would have voted if that party had not stood.
Reform UK retains council control
Reform UK remains the controlling party on Suffolk County Council despite losing the Bosmere seat. The by-election reduces its representation by one while increasing the Conservative group by one.
The result contrasts with Reform UK gains in Croft Baker and Cheddleton on the same evening, and Labour’s gain in Hindley Green. Local results reflect different candidates, circumstances and turnout and should not be treated as a national voting trend.