The Conservatives have gained Wreake Valley from the Green Party in a Charnwood Borough Council by-election, with James Poland winning 1,091 votes.
Reform UK's Michael Slade finished second with 706 votes, while Green candidate Hamzah Sheikh came third with 372. Labour's Jay Dyas received 69 votes and Liberal Democrat Murray Sinclair 24.
The by-election was held on Thursday 17 September following the resignation of Green councillor Laurie Needham, who had led the Green group on Charnwood Borough Council.
Conservatives gain seat from Greens
The full result was:
- James Poland — Conservative: 1,091
- Michael Slade — Reform UK: 706
- Hamzah Sheikh — Green: 372
- Jay Dyas — Labour: 69
- Murray Sinclair — Liberal Democrats: 24
Turnout was 26.28%.
Poland defeated Slade by 385 votes and returned the seat to the Conservatives after the Greens had won all three Wreake Valley seats at the 2023 borough election.
Reform finishes second
Reform UK did not contest Wreake Valley at the 2023 Charnwood election, making this its first borough-election result in the ward under the current boundaries.
Slade's 706 votes put Reform comfortably ahead of the defending Greens, although 385 votes behind the Conservatives.
Green vote falls after 2023 success
The Greens had performed strongly in Wreake Valley at the 2023 full council election, when the party won all three available seats.
Needham's resignation created the vacancy. She said she was standing down because of changes in her circumstances and ongoing health issues.
Because the 2023 contest elected three councillors while this by-election filled a single vacancy, comparisons between the two elections should be treated with caution.
Local government reorganisation was major campaign issue
Opposition to proposals that could expand Leicester's administrative boundary featured prominently during the campaign.
Poland said residents in communities including Syston, East Goscote, Queniborough and Cossington were concerned about being incorporated into an expanded Leicester authority through local government reorganisation.
After his victory, Poland said he believed he had won by concentrating on local rather than national issues.
No overall control at Charnwood
The result does not give any party overall control of Charnwood Borough Council.
Following the Conservative gain, the council has 23 Conservative councillors, 20 Labour councillors, seven Greens and two independents.
Labour continues to run the authority as a minority administration with a confidence-and-supply arrangement with the Green group.