Why a by-election won’t be called to replace outgoing councillor

A Tameside councillor has resigned, but there won’t be a by-election to replace her.

Claire Reid recently made the decision to quit her role representing the Denton South ward, a seat she held for almost two decades for the Labour Party. The normal circumstances surrounding a councillor leaving office means a by-election is called to replace them.

As Mrs Reid’s term was due to end at the May local elections next year, the local authority says there legally cannot be a by-election.

This means that her Denton South seat will be contested alongside every other council ward on Thursday, May 7, 2026. According to the council, the only circumstance where a by-election would be called is if more than one council ward seat was left vacant.

In a world where there was a by-election, the new councillor would have to contest the seat again at the local elections, just a few months later.

A Tameside Council Spokesperson said: “This seat will be up for election in May 2026. There legally cannot be a by-election due to the resignation being within six months of the end of their term of office in May 2026. 

“The relevant legislation can be found in Section 89(3), Local Government Act 1972 (LGA 1972)”

Claire Reid explained her decision was not associated with the furore surrounding the Labour fall-out earlier this year, but due to her starting ‘a new chapter in her life’ away from politics.

The former councillor was one of the politicians involved with the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp chat that contained a number of offensive messages. ‘Crackpots’, ‘morons’ and a ‘Grade-A’ w*****’ were just some of the phrases used to describe constituents and colleagues.

The group consisted of Labour councillors, members and activists from Denton and Reddish, as well as Greater Manchester MP Andrew Gwynne and Burnley MP Oliver Ryan. The revelations led to a Labour Party investigation, with Mrs Reid being among the members suspended.

She, alongside Coun Allison Gwynne, served a six-month suspension and was later allowed back into the Labour Party. Her fellow Denton South councillors George Newton and Jack Naylor were expelled from Labour following the investigation.

In a statement made following her resignation, Claire Reid said: “It has been a privilege to represent the residents of Denton South for over 15 years.

“I took the decision to resign from the council last month to pursue a new chapter of my life, which is unfortunately not compatible with politics.

“I am proud of the many achievements secured in Denton South, most notably successfully fighting off the development of The Tame Valley.”