Lib Dems win council seat after Reform resignation
LDRSThe Liberal Democrats are celebrating a by-election victory in a council seat vacated by Reform UK.
Terry Rooney won the Benfieldside vote on Thursday to increase the party's representation on Durham County Council to 15.
The by-election was called following the resignation of Andrew Kilburn, who stepped down just days after the May local elections after failing to declare he was employed by the local authority and therefore unable to serve as a councillor.
Rooney secured 824 votes, with Labour in second on 800 and Reform UK third with 747.
The win is a boost for the largest opposition party after Reform's success earlier this year when it took control of the local authority for the first time.
Reflecting on his win, Rooney said: "I'm humbled to serve the community where I live and where I grew up."
Council data estimated the by-election triggered by Mr Kilburn's resignation would cost about £22,800, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
"I have campaigned for the Reform Party's millionaire backers to pay for the £23,000 of council taxpayers' money they have wasted on this by-election due to their own incompetence nominating an ineligible candidate," Rooney said.
A Reform UK spokesperson said: "This is nothing more than cheap political point scoring. The Liberal Democrats, who have received over £10 million in donations from one individual alone, should lead by example.
"Mr Rooney did not make these same calls when a Liberal Democrat councillor resigned their seat within a week of being elected in Edinburgh in order to move abroad."
The turnout for Thursday's by-election was 37%.