Labour by-election disaster as Tories take 2 wards in Trafford

Conservatives won the Hale by-election which was held on Thursday night. The result came through in the early hours of Friday and it was confirmed candidate Natalie Shalom won the race to represent the 1,521 people who voted for her.

The by-election was called because ex-Green Party councillor Owain Sutton stood down due to alleged health issues. Orla Weir was the hopeful candidate for the Greens, but she could only get runners-up with 1,245 votes.

The Reform Party fielded candidate Phil Holt, who got 264 votes to take third place, well ahead of the Labour Party candidate Clare Sheridan, who received 138 votes, and in last place was Lib Dems Jason John Stack with 101 votes.

Trafford Labour won’t be sweating just yet, but some anxieties must be around the camp, not only because of the rise of Reform but also because they have been beaten in both Broadheath and Hale by-elections, and both by Tories.

Next year’s local elections look set to be very interesting, with Trafford Labour fighting harder than they have ever done in wards they normally win. Can they hold on to Bucklow St. Martins, Stretford, wards in Sale, and Urmston, and other wards? Only time will tell.