Candidates for Benfieldside, Durham council by-election in July

Voters in Benfieldside will elect a new county councillor to represent the ward following the resignation of a Reform UK member. 

The Durham County Council poll was called after Andrew Kilburn resigned for failing to declare that he was employed by the local authority. He was elected in May with 1,007 votes alongside fellow Reform candidate Sandra Grindle as the party gained both seats in the Benfieldside ward – one from Labour and one from an independent.

However, national legislation means employees are disqualified from standing as councillors simultaneously. 

Despite the setback, Reform said it hopes to retain its stronghold on the ward, which also covers Blackhill and Shotley Bridge. The party secured a landslide victory at the May elections, gaining 65 seats. 

The ballot will be held on July 3. 

Full list of candiates: 

Kevin Early, Labour Party

Stephen Harrison, Reform UK 

David Lowes, Conservative Party

Stephen Robinson, Independent 

Terry Rooney, Liberal Democrat

Richard Simpson, Green Party

The by-election will cost Durham County Council £22,800, a figure described as a ‘gross waste of taxpayers’ money’ by a former council leader. A petition was sent to residents in the Benfieldside ward by the Liberal Democrats, calling for Reform to pay the costs of the upcoming election.

Councillor Amanda Hopgood said: “Reform have made a huge issue of standing on a platform of reducing council ‘waste’, there can be few things more wasteful for the taxpayer of County Durham than a by-election being called because the new administration could not get their paperwork in order.

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“This is a gross waste of taxpayer money and if they truly believe in tackling waste, then they should lead by example and pay for their own mistake.”

Anyone who wishes to vote must be registered to vote in Benfieldside and must also be able to provide an acceptable form of photo ID, which includes a passport, driving licence and concessionary travel pass, such as an older person’s bus pass. A full list of acceptable forms of photo ID can be found on poll cards.

The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on Wednesday, June 18, and for proxy vote applications it is Wednesday, June 25.