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Harraby South by-election: Labour defends Carlisle seat after councillor resigns

Voters in Harraby South are choosing a new Cumberland councillor today after Labour’s Lucy Patrick resigned. Five candidates are contesting the seat.

By Charlotte Mercer • Published 20 August 2026 at 08:10 • 2 min read
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You can see the full results for the Harraby South by-election here.

Voters in Harraby South are going to the polls today to elect a new member of Cumberland Council following the resignation of Labour councillor Lucy Patrick.

Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday, 20 August. One councillor will be elected from a field of five candidates.

Who is standing?

The candidates listed by Cumberland Council are Ruth Elizabeth Alcroft for Labour, Rob Currie for the Conservatives, Stuart Kelly for the Liberal Democrats, Rose-Ellen Kemp for the Green Party and Josh Kirkwood for Reform UK.

Why is the by-election taking place?

The vacancy arose after Lucy Patrick resigned from the council in July. The council announced the by-election on 16 July and subsequently confirmed that the poll would take place on 20 August.

Labour defending a narrow majority

Patrick won Harraby South for Labour at the first Cumberland Council election in May 2022. She received 634 votes, ahead of Conservative candidate Linda Mitchell on 547 and independent candidate Sean Reed on 369.

That gave Labour a majority of 87 votes, making the ward a potentially competitive contest despite the party entering the by-election as the defending side.

Cumberland Council is responsible for local services including adult social care, children’s services, highways, waste collection and planning across the area.

Result expected after polls close

Counting will take place after voting has finished. This page can be updated with the declared result, turnout and full vote totals once they are published by the returning officer.

Sources

  1. Cumberland Council: Harraby South casual vacancy and election notices
  2. Cumberland Council: statement of persons nominated
  3. Cumberland Council: Harraby South result, 5 May 2022
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