Reform UK has gained the Long Sutton ward on South Holland District Council after Robbie Woods secured a decisive victory in Thursday’s by-election.
Woods received approximately 56% of the vote, finishing comfortably ahead of Conservative candidate Naomi Andrews, who secured around 28%.
Green Party candidate James Timpson finished third with approximately 14%.
The result represents a gain for Reform UK from an Independent, although no independent candidate contested the by-election.
Long Sutton by-election result
- Robbie Woods — Reform UK: 56%
- Naomi Andrews — Conservative: 28%
- James Timpson — Green Party: 14%
The election was held on 30 July 2026 following the death of Independent councillor David Wilkinson, who had represented Long Sutton on South Holland District Council from 2007 until 2015 and again from 2019.
Wilkinson, who died in May at the age of 71, had been remembered by council colleagues as an effective and well-respected representative who was deeply committed to the communities of Long Sutton and Lutton.
Woods was already an elected member of Lincolnshire County Council, representing The Suttons division, which includes much of the Long Sutton district ward.
His victory means he will now represent the area at both county and district council level.
The Conservatives had hoped to gain the vacant seat and restore their overall majority on South Holland District Council. However, Woods established a clear lead over Andrews, while the absence of an independent candidate significantly changed the contest from previous elections in the ward.
Long Sutton has traditionally returned a mixture of Conservative and independent councillors. At the 2023 district council elections, Independent candidates David Wilkinson and Andrew Tennant were elected alongside Conservative Jack Tyrrell.
The latest result marks Reform UK’s first district council victory in the ward and provides further evidence of the party’s growing strength in Lincolnshire.
Robbie Woods was formally elected as the new councillor for Long Sutton following the declaration of the result.