- Reform UK has faced criticism for triggering an early by-election in Barton and Winton, Salford, which cost over £20,000, despite city-wide elections being scheduled in just two weeks.
- The by-election was held following the death of long-serving councillor David Lancaster, with Reform UK candidate Michael Felse winning the seat by a narrow 33-vote margin.
- Another Reform UK candidate, Lewis Croden, and a relative used a provision in the Local Government Act 1972 to force the standalone election less than two months after the previous councillor's passing.
- Labour sources condemned the move as 'unnecessary', 'indefensible', and demonstrating a 'complete lack of decorum and respect' due to the financial implications and proximity to the other elections.
- Lewis Croden defended the decision by stating that Salford has been 'taken for granted by Labour for years' and criticised the council's spending on various projects.
IN FULL
Reform wins first Salford council seat after by-election slammed as ‘indefensible’
