Voters head to polls for Zetland by-election

A seat became vacant in Zetland ward following a resignation from Redcar and Cleveland Council last year.

Five candidates are on the ballot paper – Igraine Gray ( Conservatives ); Brian Marc Teesdale (Green Party); Alison Barnes (Liberal Democrat); Mitchell Rynn ( Labour ) and Mike Manning (Reform UK).

Mr Manning previously stepped away from the process after criticism of alleged racist Facebook content he posted with the local branch of the party suspending campaigning on his behalf. He also stated he had resigned his membership.

His withdrawal came too late to remove his name from ballot papers, however, with the council stating that the deadline had passed following the close of nominations on January 23. A spokesman previously explained that the returning officer had no legal power to amend ballot papers beyond this point or alter the details of any candidate validly nominated by this deadline.

He said: “The ballot paper will therefore show the candidates’ names and any party description or emblem exactly as submitted on their valid nomination papers, and the election will proceed as scheduled in accordance with electoral law. If any such candidate is elected, their election will be valid, and they will become a councillor of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.”

Other local politicians told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that they encountered some examples of confusion on doorsteps while campaigning. Should Mr Manning’s name come out top in the poll and he declines to take up the post by signing the papers required, it would raise the prospect of the election having to be re-run at a further cost to taxpayers. The other alternative is he could potentially sit as an independent, should he so wish.

Labour won the Zetland seat in local elections in 2023 and before that it was held by the Liberal Democrats. Reform UK, meanwhile, won its first seat on the council last year in Skelton East. The result is expected to be known late on Thursday evening.