Labour wins first Poole Town Council seat in by-election

The Hamworthy East seat became vacant after Reform UK councillor Daniel Bleeze stepped down just two months into his term. Mr Bleeze had won the seat during the town council elections in May with 779 votes, ahead of Labour’s Peter Cooper, who received 387 votes.

In the by-election, Cllr Cooper secured victory with 476 votes, while the Reform UK candidate finished close behind with 453 votes.

Cllr Cooper is now the first and only Labour councillor on Poole Town Council and also serves as a councillor on Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.

Speaking after his win, Cllr Cooper said: “I got tipped to the post last time, which is very disappointing, it was really disappointing that they dropped out and trigger another by-election.

“I’m really pleased that we got through it, we’ve got a great team it’s a good start heading towards next May, so we’re all really chuffed.”

He emphasised that his focus would be on serving residents rather than party politics.

Cllr Cooper said: “It’s about localism. It’s about the extra precept, which has gone into the Poole Town Council’s budget.

“My wishing would be that to get that money spent. It’s not about me banging the labour drum. Labour this, or that. So, Pete Cooper, your town councillor is listening to you, listening to what your voice is saying, how you want to spend that money.”

Reform UK candidate John Sheldon said: “It was a contest, that was well fought.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t quite make the 23 votes required to win.”

A BCP Green Party spokesperson said: “We would like to thank everyone who supported our candidate, Yasmin Clewes, in the Hamworthy East by-election.

“We knew this would be a closely fought contest between Labour and Reform, but it was important that local people had the opportunity to vote Green.

“Yasmin was proud to stand as a local candidate for her community.

“We congratulate Peter Cooper on his election and thank everyone who took part in the democratic process.”