Reform UK has gained a seat from Labour in the Cheddleton ward of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. Su Beardmore won the by-election held on Thursday 12 November 2026 with 37.8% of the vote, ahead of Conservative Rob Bateman on 26.3% and Labour candidate Martin Sadler on 17.1%.
Why the by-election was held
The vacancy arose following the resignation of Labour councillor Dylan Pascall, who moved out of the area. Six candidates contested the election. Cheddleton is a three-member district ward, and its other two councillors are Conservatives.
Full Cheddleton result
Su Beardmore (Reform UK) 37.8%; Rob Bateman (Conservative) 26.3%; Martin David Sadler (Labour) 17.1%; Sue Rogers (Independent) 12.5%; Karen Pickering (Restore Britain) 4.4%; Matthew Frith (Green) 1.8%. Percentages are rounded. Exact vote totals have not been independently verified.
Comparison with previous election
Reform UK did not stand in the ward in the May 2023 district council election. The Conservatives led the vote in that multi-member election, followed by Labour. The latest result represents a Reform UK gain from Labour because the vacant seat was held by a Labour councillor. Comparisons of party shares across the two contests require care because three seats were contested in 2023 and only one in November 2026.
Council implications
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council is led by a minority Labour administration. This result increases Reform UK representation from one councillor to two and reduces Labour representation by one, assuming no other changes. It does not give any party an overall majority.
Wider by-election picture
Reform UK also gained Croft Baker in North East Lincolnshire from Labour on 12 November, while Labour gained Hindley Green in Wigan from an independent. Individual by-elections are influenced by local circumstances and turnout, and do not by themselves establish a national voting trend.
What happens next
The next scheduled Staffordshire Moorlands district council elections are due in May 2027. The Cheddleton result will form part of the parties’ assessment of their local support ahead of those elections.