Liberal Democrats Win Benfieldside By-Election in County Durham

Strategic Insights -

Terry Rooney, a member of the Liberal Democrats, has won the Benfieldside by-election in County Durham, increasing the party's representation on Durham County Council to 15. The by-election was held after the resignation of Andrew Kilburn, a Reform councillor, who stepped down just days after the May local elections due to failing to declare his employment with the council. Rooney's victory was marked by a close margin, with 824 votes, narrowly beating Labour's Kevin Earley and Reform UK's Stephen Harrison. Rooney's win has been seen as a significant blow to the Reform Party, with Rooney calling for their millionaire backers to reimburse the council for the £23,000 spent on the by-election.

Key Takeaways:

  • Terry Rooney, a Liberal Democrat, won the Benfieldside by-election in County Durham with 824 votes.
  • The by-election was called after Andrew Kilburn, a Reform councillor, resigned due to failing to declare his employment with the council.
  • Rooney's victory increased the Liberal Democrats' representation on Durham County Council to 15.
  • Labour's Kevin Earley and Reform UK's Stephen Harrison were close contenders, with 800 and 747 votes respectively.
  • Independent Stephen Robinson had 459 votes, while Conservative David Lowes and the Green Party's Richard Simpson had 76 and 40 votes respectively.
  • Rooney has called for the Reform Party's millionaire backers to reimburse the council for £23,000 spent on the by-election.
  • Rooney has also stated that the Reform Party must pay back council taxes that could have been spent on community projects.

Statistics:

  • Terry Rooney won the Benfieldside by-election with 824 votes (46.7% of the total).
  • Labour's Kevin Earley had 800 votes (44.9% of the total).
  • Reform UK's Stephen Harrison had 747 votes (43.3% of the total).
  • Independent Stephen Robinson had 459 votes (26.3% of the total).
  • Conservative David Lowes had 76 votes (4.4% of the total).
  • The Green Party's Richard Simpson had 40 votes (2.3% of the total).
  • A total of £23,000 was spent on the by-election.

Sources:

  • [Source: The Northern Echo, no date provided]
  • [Source: Various local news outlets, not provided]