By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter: The Liberal Democrats have hailed a “resounding win” as they held their seat in a council byelection, while Reform pushed the Conservatives into third place.
The councillor for Mendip on Bath and North East Somerset Council is the local councillor of former Conservative local MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, and once upon a time his brother used to represent the ward. But just 84 people voted for the Tories in the council byelection — less than 10% of the vote and their worst ever showing in the once safe Tory council seat.
Liberal Democrat Simon McCombe was elected with 496 votes (57%). The police constable who lives in West Harptree, just a few streets away from Mr Rees-Mogg, said: “I am proud and delighted to have been elected, and want to thank all the people who have supported my campaign and voted for me.
“I look forward to serving my communities, and delivering for my residents working with my Lib Dem colleagues.”
Leader of Liberal Democrat-run Bath and North East Somerset Council Kevin Guy (Bathavon North) said: “B&NES Lib Dems have shown that their values and known competence are the only way to hold back the tide of Reform. This is true throughout the country, those who abhor the views of Reform are turning to the LibDems as the only way to protect the country from the rising tide of right wing populism.”
Reform candidate Stuart Ball netted 191 votes (22%), coming in second place in the party’s first time contesting the council seat. He said: “We congratulate Simon on his win. Reform’s message of common sense politics, family and community, and real democracy resonated with many.
“I am proud of our campaign and will continue to stand up for local people. This isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning.”
The Mendip ward stretches from Temple Cloud to East and West Harptree, covering Cameley, Hinton Blewett, Coley, and North and South Widcombe. The byelection was called after Liberal Democrat councillor David Wood stepped down on health grounds. He first took the once safe Tory council seat off then council leader Tim Warren in 2019, when he won 67% of the vote — and was re-elected with 75% of the vote in the 2023 council elections.
This was the second byelection on Bath and North East Somerset Council since the 2023 local elections. In January, the Liberal Democrats lost one of the two council seats representing Saltford to independent Chris Warren by four votes.
The full Mendip byelection result was:
Stuart Michael Ball (Reform UK) – 191
Martin Edward Burton (Labour) – 40
Jon Elford (Conservative) – 84
Charles Harrison Fenn (Green) – 57
Simon James McCombe (Liberal Democrat) – 496 (Elected)
The turnout was 37.52% with 868 votes cast. There were no spoilt ballots.
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
Bath Voice Monthly Newspaper is distributed free to thousands of homes and some supermarkets – distributed from the first of the month. Harry Mottram is the News Editor
Email him at news@bathvoice.co.uk Bath website: https://bathvoice.co.uk/news/
Bath Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/bdtf2kep Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bath_voice And Bluesky @bathvoicenews.bsky.social And also on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/harrymottram6/
Read the newspaper online at :https://issuu.com/bathvoice
To advertise to thousands of Bathonians call Shaun on 07540 383870 or email him on sales@bathvoice.co.uk