Reform UK retains Newquay council seat in by-election

Reform UK has held the Newquay Porth and Tretherras division in a by-election, following weeks of campaigning by candidates across the area.

Lyndon Harrison was elected with 645 votes, securing the seat for the party by a margin of more than 100 votes over his nearest rival.

The by-election was triggered by the death of long-standing councillor Kevin Towill earlier this year.

Mr Towill had previously defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK.

Green Party candidate Abigail Hubbucks finished second with 529 votes.

Independent candidate Topher Chard, owner of Saltd Café on Cliff Road, came third with 361 votes, followed by Liberal Democrat Sandy Carter with 349.

The Conservatives’ Oli Kimber received 132 votes, while Labour and Co-operative Party candidate Suzanne Featherstone polled 120, despite campaign support from Labour MPs in Cornwall. Newquay MP - Noah Law joined supporters on the ground on polling day as part of efforts to try and secure the seat.

Turnout for the by-election was 37%.