Reform UK’s Matthew Stephen Evans has been elected to represent East Markham ward on Bassetlaw District Council, winning a by-election with a majority of 186 votes.
Evans received 436 votes, ahead of Local Conservatives candidate James Robert Purle on 250. Labour’s Colette Maureen Roberts received 151 votes and the Green Party’s David Andrew Bean received 42.
Reform UK secured 49.6 per cent of the valid votes cast.
Turnout was 42.13 per cent, with 880 ballot papers issued from an electorate of 2,089. One ballot was recorded as unmarked or void.
In a Facebook statement following the result, Evans thanked residents across the ward’s villages for their support and pledged to represent everyone, regardless of how they voted.
He said: “I will be an active and accessible representative for every resident, regardless of how you voted.”
Evans said he would attend parish council meetings and speak up for the villages at Bassetlaw District Council, while seeking more attention, investment and funding for the communities he now represents.
His statement also criticised the Conservatives, claiming the ward had lacked the representation it deserved for nearly three and a half years. He described the Conservative group at Bassetlaw as an “omnishambles” and said residents had delivered their verdict.
Evans thanked the other candidates for standing, election staff for their work and his agent, campaign team and volunteers. He also thanked Robert Jenrick for his support during the campaign.
