Friday brief: Success for Tories and Reform UK in delayed by-election
Our end of the week round up
Reform UK and the Conservatives are celebrating after winning a seat each on North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) in the delayed Higham Ferrers by-election.
The by-election was held due to the death of Liberal Democrat candidate John Ratcliffe just before May 1st polling day, postponing the election. On Thursday, June 11, voters in the Higham Ferrers ward cast their votes to elect their two new councillors to complete the line-up for NNC.
Reform UK candidate Mark Haddon won the first by-election seat with 656 votes. Coming in second and taking the final seat on NNC is returning Conservative councillor Jennie Bone with 559 votes, just three more than the next Reform UK candidate Elisa Perna in third.
‘Apprehensive, excited and a little bit shell-shocked’
Taking the top spot, NNC’s newest councillor Mark Haddon told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he was feeling “apprehensive, excited and a little bit shell-shocked” after his win.
The 76-year-old retired pensioner, who grew up, went to school, and got married in Higham Ferrers, said it would be his first venture into politics after Reform asked him to stand for the by-election.
He added:
“I considered initially that I’m too old to start a new career shall we say. It was something I didn’t really think I was going to do, but I’d like to think that we can get the council finances under control.
“A lot of what I got when I was on the doorstep was we will vote for you so long as you’re not Labour or Conservative.”
‘A brilliant addition to our group’
North Northants Conservative group leader Helen Harrison, who was joined by ex-MP Peter Bone at the count, praised Jennie Bone, who was not able to attend, for her win.
Cllr Harrison said:
“I’m thrilled for Jennie because she’s been a brilliant councillor for so many years and she cares deeply for her community and I think that’s been reflected in the vote today.
“We always knew it was going to be an incredibly tough fight when we were out on the doors. It was really clear that Reform were doing very well.
“I came here with great trepidation, not knowing if we were going to get either of our candidates elected and I’m so pleased she was.
“She’s going to be a brilliant addition to our group and I know Jennie will continue to work incredibly hard for the people of the Higham Ferrers ward.”
Turnout for the by-election was 31.1 per cent, just below the earlier May elections for the whole council, which sat at 31.6 per cent.
In an unusual twist in the by-election, three Reform candidates were listed on ballot papers, despite only two seats being up for grabs. Candidate Alan Beswick had been on the ballot paper for the May 1 elections, but a party spokesperson said his circumstances had changed and he was no longer able to take the position.
As reported by the Northamptonshire Telegraph, the party said he had moved to China, but they were unable to remove his nomination in time for the delayed election. A number of ballot papers were declared void because members of the public voted for more than two candidates.
There was also a question over whether Elisa Perna was even eligible to stand, as she had stood for Oundle in the May 1 election. The council’s returning officer Adele Wylie decided she could after taking legal advice, but the Electoral Commission appeared to take a differente view. Tonight the Lib Dems have said they will not challenge the decision but will seek clarification in parliament about the procedure.
‘They have nothing positive to campaign on these days’
Reform UK leader of NNC, Martin Griffiths, said:
“Firstly, my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of John Ratcliffe, whose sad death triggered the postponement of the May 1st election in this ward.
“I am confident that Mark will represent each and every one of the Higham Ferrers residents, whoever they voted for, in this election, to the very best of his ability.
“I look forward to working with both successful candidates in the years ahead as North Northamptonshire Council continues on its journey towards being an exemplary council that puts its residents first and foremost in everything it does.”
He also hit out at what he described as “negative campaigning” from other individuals in the election.
He added:
“Disappointingly, this extended campaign has been one of the tetchiest that I can remember in my near 20 years involvement in local politics. I can only conclude that they have nothing positive to campaign on these days.
“Meanwhile the Reform UK candidates have worked their socks off knocking on hundreds of doors and delivering thousands of leaflets and discussing a whole range of issues with residents who feel let down locally and nationally.”
Leader of North Northants Labour group Mark Pengelly said his candidates campaigned incredibly hard in the election and that he was ‘grateful’ to them for their work.




Results
The results will not materially change the make-up of NNC, with Reform UK sitting on a comfortable majority from the earlier May elections, where 39 councillors were previously elected for the party.
There are now 40 Reform, 14 Conservatives, eight Greens, four Labour, and one Lib Dem and Independent councillor on NNC. Just 35 seats are needed for a majority on the 68-member council.
The full list of results is below:
Tara Allston (Green) – 449
Alan Leigh Beswick (Reform)- 511
John Baugh (Conservative Party)- 335
Jennie Bone (Conservative Party)- 559 ELECTED
Jay Connolly (Independent)- 215
Zara Cunliffe (Labour)- 264
Mark Haddon (Reform)-656 ELECTED
Gerald Kelly (Green)- 529
Chris Nelson (Lib Dem)- 165
Elisa Perna (Reform)- 556
Peter Tomas (Independent)- 187
Helen Willmott (Labour Party)- 256
Report by Nadia Lincoln, local democracy reporter
News in brief:
A Wellingborough grandmother, her grandson and daughter-in-law have been killed in yesterday’s Indian plane crash.
Raxa Modha and some of her family were among the 240 who have tragically lost their lives after the plane which was headed to Gatwick crashed shortly after take off in Ahmedabad on Thursday morning.
The boss of Northants-based Greatwell Homes has welcomed the chancellor’s Spending Review announcement of a £39bn investment in the Affordable Homes Programme (AHP).
Jo Savage, chief executive at Greatwell Homes and board member of PlaceShapers, said:
“I’m delighted that the campaigning by PlaceShapers, the National Housing Federation, Shelter and others has been heard at the highest levels.
“This certainty and investment will enable Greatwell Homes and the sector to do so much more, including contributing towards the government’s ambition of delivering 1.5 million homes over the life of the parliament.
“I’m really pleased that the value of social housing has been recognised at the highest levels of government. This speaks volumes to our colleagues, partners, and importantly our customers living in these homes.”
Greatwell Homes manages more than 5,200 homes in the county.
The chancellor also announced a 10-year rent settlement that will set a rent policy for social housing from 2026. This will enable housing providers to borrow and invest in new and existing homes while protecting social housing tenants.
Residents of the Semilong and Trinity area of Northampton can have their say on the neighbourhood plan in the local referendum next Thursday.
Chair of the Semilong & Trinity Neighbourhood Forum Janie Frost said:
“Local councillors have been working for several years alongside residents of the area to produce the NN2SIX Neighbourhood Plan.
“It is an important document as it will help shape the future of the area and contains policies on a range of planning considerations, including building types and architectural styles, housing, the protection of mature trees and heritage assets and the improvement of street design.
“There are also policies dedicated to green spaces such as the Racecourse, because it is such a valuable and versatile green space, along with wider social issues such as creating healthy neighbourhoods, sustainable transport and climate change.”
The policies in the plan apply to a large geographical area encompassing both residential and business properties, from Grafton Street Industrial Estate and housing in Semilong, Barrack Road from the Barratt’s Factory to the International Academy, plus St George’s Avenue, Trinity Avenue and all of the Racecourse.
The election is being managed by West Northamptonshire Council, and all information relating to the plan, including a copy of the document, can be found on the council’s website
NN Events
🍻💃It’s the tenth Kettfest tomorrow. There will be music, poetry and arts at the free festival. All the details here.