Date set for Harton by-election after Reform UK councillor resignation
Dates and details announced for Harton by-election after resignation of Reform UK councillor Alex Clarke.
Voters are being called to the polls again in an upcoming council by-election triggered by the resignation of a Reform UK councillor.
Councillor Alex Clarke, who was elected to Harton ward in landmark 'all out' local elections in May, resigned from his post in June following offensive comments made on a podcast.
Mr Clarke had made a number of comments in relation to women drivers, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the city of Birmingham.
Following his resignation, he stated that his comments were “a joke” and that his podcast is a comedy‑based show.
Voters in the Harton ward will go to the polls between 7am and 10pm on the day and the result will be announced once the votes have been verified and counted.
Reform UK wrestled control of South Tyneside Council from the Labour Party earlier this year, with Labour losing their majority on the council for the first time in 47 years.
The Harton by-election is the first electoral test of Reform UK in South Tyneside since the all-out local elections and several candidates are expected to throw their hats in the ring.
South Tyneside Council's website provides key details on the contest, including an elections timetable.
Although several political parties have revealed candidates on social media, the final confirmed candidate list, following the close of nominations, is expected to be published on Monday, July 13.
South Tyneside Council, in a statement on social media, said the council had now entered the "pre-election period" for the by-election.
It said that this means the council "will not publish any material at any time which looks like it supports a particular candidate or political party".
The council statement added: "We will continue to publish information as part of normal council business. We will not quote cabinet members who are elected councillors on social media or in news articles.
"We will monitor and, if necessary, remove comments or responses on social media if the comments affect opinion or draw attention to a particular candidate or party in the election campaign."