Candidates revealed for County Durham by-election in Murton

People living in the Murton ward will go to the polls on Thursday (March 5) to vote in a new county councillor. 

Reform won the two available seats within the East Durham ward during last May’s local elections as it took overall control of Durham County Council.

The election has been called to fill a vacant seat held by a former Reform councillor after David Cumming stood down from the role in December due to overseas work commitments. Reform’s Cllr Mark Rowney, also a Murton ward member, remains in post. 

Who is standing for election? 

Theo Bell – Reform UK

Julie Griffiths – Labour Party

Dorothy Luckhurst – Conservative Party

Isaac Short – Green Party

Neil Thompson – Liberal Democrats 

It will be the third by-election in County Durham since last year’s full council vote, following the resignation of two former Reform councillors due to an employment conflict and ill-health. 

The current makeup of the council is 60 Reform councillors, 15 Liberal Democrats, 14 Independents, four Labour, two Greens, one Conservative, and one Advance UK.

Voters must provide an acceptable form of photo ID, such as a passport, driving licence or concessionary travel pass, including an older person’s bus pass. A full list of acceptable forms of photo ID can be found on the polling card.