Reform UK gain first ever seat at Cannock Chase Council in by-election win

Reform UK have gained their first ever seat on Cannock Chase District Council in an historic by-election win.

Paul Jones, who became a Staffordshire County Councillor at May’s elections, celebrated his second victory in four months on Thursday night with a return to the district authority.

He previously represented Hednesford Green Heath as a Conservative member, being first elected to Cannock Chase Council in 2022. But he lost the seat two years later and went on to defect to Reform UK.

Thursday’s by-election for the Hednesford Green Heath ward was triggered by the death of Labour’s Fred Prestwood, the former council vice-chair, in May. He had served two years on the authority after being first elected in 2023.

Councillor Paul Jones. Photo by Staffordshire LDR Kerry Ashdown. Free for use by all LDRS partners

Seven candidates threw their hats into the ring for the vacant seat. They included three former district councillors.

The result came in shortly after 11pm – just over an hour after polls closed at 10pm – and the count took place at Cannock Civic Centre Ballroom. Councillor Jones swept to victory with 525 votes – more than all of the other six candidates combined – but just 16.6% of eligible voters turned out for the poll.

Councillor Jones, who is also a member of Hednesford Town Council, said he did not expect to win by such a large margin. He added that the main topics raised by voters had been potholes, antisocial behaviour, bins and more national issues.

The Election Count At Cannock Civic Centre. Photo by Staffordshire LDR Kerry Ashdown. Free for use by all LDRS partners

“It’s a very proud time for Reform, myself, and the people of Hednesford Green Heath. I want to thank the supporters and voters”, he added.

Former Labour district councillor and current Hednesford Town Council chair Alan Pearson took second place in the by-election with 230 votes. In a statement following the result the party said: “While this result isn’t what we hoped for, we respect the democratic decision of local residents.

“The challenges facing Hednesford Green Heath remain the same and Labour will continue to stand by our communities and work hard. Cannock Chase Council remains red.”

Former district and county councillor Phil Hewitt, a member of Heath Hayes and Wimblebury Parish Council, was in third place with 126 votes. The Conservative said: “My campaign was positive and clearly underlined what I wanted to do for our area.

“Sadly, as is often the case, national policy became part of the campaign, which detracted from the local issues that were at the heart of my campaign.”