Michael James Felse of the Reform UK celebration, has been declared the winner within the 2026 Barton and Winton By-election.
The turnout for the election, held on Wednesday 22 April 2026, was 17.82% per cent with 1,941 votes forged and 3 poll papers have been rejected.
The votes have been forged as follows (in alphabetical order):
| Candidate | Party | Votes forged |
|---|---|---|
| Kirsty Anne Downie | Independent | 44 |
| Antony Ian Duke | Liberal Democrats | 94 |
| Michael James Felse | Reform UK | 676 |
| Catherine Goodyer | Labour Party | 643 |
| Jack Groom | Green Party | 363 |
| Holly Ann Muldoon | The Conservative Party Candidate | 118 |
This by-election follows the premature passing of Councillor David Lancaster MBE in February 2026.
The political make-up of the council is as follows:
- Labour – 45
- Conservative – 7
- Liberal Democrats – 2
- Independent – 1
- Democratic Socialist Party – 1
- Your Party – 1
- Reform UK – 1
