Labour candidate holds on to see off Reform UK push and unseat Conservatives in Bispham
Joel McKevitt, of Labour, took the seat from the Conservatives but it was Reform UK who came a close second. Additional reporting by Richard Hunt
The Labour Party were able to take the vacant seat on Blackpool Council from the Conservatives after a by-election yesterday.
Joel McKevitt, of Labour, is the new councillor for Bispham after being closely run from by William Thomas Banks, of Reform UK, by just 12 votes.
The by-election was contested on Thursday, November 7, following the decision by Conservative Tony Warne to step down due to work commitments.
But his potential like-for-like replacement Lynda Watson, of the Conservatives, finished in third place.
McKevitt joins Cllr Paul Wilshaw, of the Conservatives, in representing Bispham on Blackpool Council.
Joel McKevitt said: “I’m so pleased and humbled to be the first Labour councillor for Bispham in 25 years.
“We ran a positive campaign focused on what residents told me were their priorities- cracking down on car break-ins, protecting our beautiful coastline and supporting local independent businesses.
“Tonight was a great result for Blackpool Labour. I’m now ready to get on with the work and make a difference on Blackpool Council for local residents.”
Lorraine Beavers, Labour MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, said: “Joel will be a brilliant councillor for Bispham. I’ve been out with him over the past few weeks speaking to residents on the doorstep.
“He’s a local lad, hard-working and cares deeply about Bispham and will fight hard for local people which is what it’s all about.”
The turnout for the by-election was 31.4% with 1384 of the electorate turning in ballots out of 4408.
Results:
William Thomas Banks - Reform UK - 424
Kevan Michael Benfold - Lib Dems - 24
Joel McKevitt - Labour Party - 436
Rick Scott - Independent - 148
Ben Thomas - Green Party - 36
Lynda Watson - Conservative Party - 314
The result likely comes as a relief to The Labour Party who lost the Marton by-election, held in the wake of Sarah Smith’s election as MP for Hyndburn in July, to Reform UK. That meant that Jim O’Neill became the first Reform UK councillor on Blackpool Council.