By Jill Stocks
Labour claimed victory in yesterday’s Horsforth Town Council Brownberrie Ward by-election, with the result being announced just before 11pm.
Wenzdae Robbins, the Reform UK candidate, received 164 votes, Local Conservatives candidate Chris Calvert received 321, and Labour’s Alan Radford received 465.
There were seven spoiled or rejected ballot papers and the turnout was 34.8%.
Following his victory Alan Radford addressed the audience to thank the election staff and constituents.
“It’s been an interesting campaign, an interesting day,” he said. “I think the result shows that Horsforth Town Council is local. That’s the most important thing. It’s really not that political.
“We’re all here concerned about the community. Chris [Calvert] and I both have experience of the town council and that’s what we do, politics rarely raises its head.
“In the meantime it’s my job for the next couple of years so I’ll do my best to represent the ward and Horsforth in general.
“So thank you very much and let’s get on with it.”
Horsforth Town Council is elected to represent the community of Horsforth, address local concerns, host events and ratify spending decisions.
There are 22 elected town councillors, covering five wards, who are currently serving a four year term which began in May 2023.