A competitive field of seven candidates is set to vie for the Widcombe and Lyncombe ward seat in the upcoming Bath and North East Somerset Council byelection on October 9. The election follows the resignation of Liberal Democrat Councillor Deborah Collins, who stepped down to focus on her health after a cancer diagnosis.
The candidates represent a variety of political backgrounds, including the Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Reform UK, and two independents. This marks the third council byelection in the area this year.
The Liberal Democrats, currently holding a commanding two-thirds majority on the council with 39 of 59 seats, face challenges after narrowly losing the Saltford seat to an Independent in January, though they successfully retained the Mendip seat in July with a commanding 57% of the vote.
Councillor Collins expressed gratitude for the medical care she is receiving and explained her decision to resign: “I’m very grateful for the screening programme and the excellent care at the RUH which I’m confident will lead to my full recovery from cancer. Sadly, I am a long way from being back to normal and able to deal with the demands of being a councillor, so I have had to take the decision to stand down early and focus on my health.”
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on October 9. Voters must bring photo identification to cast their ballots.
The candidates standing in the byelection are:
- Madeline Blackburn (Independent)
- Stuart Pieter Bridge (Liberal Democrat)
- Matt Corner (Conservative)
- Neil Howard (Green)
- Casey Bernard Bailey Nolan (Independent)
- Aaron Scott (Reform UK)
- Helen Torrance (Labour)