Britons to issue verdict on Andy Burnham reign as polls open for first time since Labour conference

Britons are set to issue their verdict on Andy Burnham's premiership as six by-elections are scheduled to take place across the UK this week.

Voters will flock to the polls for the first time since this year's Labour conference kicked off and Andy Burnham delivered his opening speech to members in Liverpool.

The Prime Minister blamed Brexit for the country’s decline, vowed to take the UK back to the 1970s and promised to "draw a line on a decade of division".

The Chancellor, John Healey; Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband; Defence Secretary Wes Streeting; Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood; and Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner also delivered key speeches, with Rayner announcing new powers for local councils.

GB News looks at six upcoming elections around the UK in this week's by-election preview.

Claremont (Blackpool)

Residents of Blackpool's Claremont ward head to the polls this Thursday for a by-election.

The contest was triggered by the passing of Ivan Taylor, a longstanding Labour councillor who died in July at 86.

Widely recognised as the longest-serving councillor in the country, he dedicated close to six decades to representing his community.

Labour now defends a commanding 61 per cent vote share secured at the May 2023 elections.

Seven candidates are competing for the seat under the first-past-the-post system.

Labour's Katie Helen Donnelli-Hunn faces competition from Conservative John Jake Thomson, Reform UK's Mark Butcher, Liberal Democrat Kevan Michael Benfold, Green Party candidate Rob Jones, Paula Brooksbank of Restore Britain, and independent Kim Sherrie Knight.

Wick and East Caithness (Highland)

Voters in the Wick and East Caithness ward will head to the polls this Thursday in a Highland Council by-election triggered by the departure of independent councillor Willie Mackay.

Mr Mackay resigned his seat amid significant public anger over a licensing committee decision in which he voted to permit a convicted rapist to continue holding a taxi operator's licence.

Five candidates are in battle for the seat.

These include Dave Buchanan, standing as an independent; Julie Calder for the Scottish Liberal Democrats; Charlotte Gibson representing the Scottish Conservatives; the SNP's John Glen; and Iain Richmond under the Reform UK banner.

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Long Whatton & Diseworth (North West Leicestershire)

Voters in the Long Whatton & Diseworth ward head to the polls this Thursday for a North West Leicestershire District Council by-election that could reshape the authority's delicate political balance.

The contest was triggered by the death in July of Conservative councillor Nick Rushton, who had represented the area for 35 years and led Leicestershire County Council for over a decade before receiving a cancer diagnosis.

No single party currently controls the council overall.

Labour commands the most seats with 17, whilst an 18-member coalition of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and independents runs the authority.

The Tories secured 60 per cent of the ward's vote at the May 2023 elections.

Six candidates are vying for the seat under the first-past-the-post system.

They include Craig Andrew Smith for the Conservatives, Labour's Damilola Ojuri, Charles Andrew Frank Pugsley for Reform UK, Liberal Democrat Ian Richard Bradley, Drew Timms for the Greens, and Simon James Tunnicliffe for Restore Britain.

Hirst (Northumberland)

Voters in Ashington's Hirst ward will head to the polls on Thursday for a Northumberland County Council by-election after John Allen was stripped of his seat under the Local Government Act 1972 for failing to attend a single council meeting over a six-month period.

Mr Allen, who initially captured the ward for Reform UK at the May 2025 elections, was subsequently thrown out of the party over controversial comments made online.

He has now submitted nomination papers to contest the very vacancy his disqualification created, this time running as an independent.

Six candidates are fighting for the seat in a first-past-the-post ballot.

These include Kerry Davison for Reform UK, Labour's Melanie Tuesday Fox, Mr Allen as an independent, David Ferguson representing the Conservatives, Calvin Clark for the Liberal Democrats, and Eden Webley standing for Restore Britain.

The unitary authority remains under Conservative control with 28 seats, followed by Reform UK on 18 as the official opposition, Labour with eight, and seven held by the Independent Group.

This means the result will not shift the overall balance of power.

Amble (Northumberland)

Voters in the Amble ward head to the polls this Thursday in a Northumberland County Council by-election prompted by the unexpected passing of Reform UK's Arty Hume, who died in late July aged 71.

Mr Hume had captured the seat in May 2025, securing 44.4 per cent of the vote during a notable local wave of support for Reform UK that elevated the party to official opposition on the council.

The contest is regarded as closely fought, with Labour given a narrow edge to reclaim a seat the party previously held in both 2017 and 2021.

Four candidates are contesting the ward under the first-past-the-post system.

These include Warren Ladyman for Reform UK, Amy Spriggs representing Labour, Jenny Richards standing for the Conservatives, and Michael Anthony Joyce of Restore Britain.

Forth and Endrick (Stirling)

Voters in the Forth and Endrick ward of Stirling Council head to the polls this Thursday in a by-election prompted by the death of Conservative councillor Paul Henke in July.

The sprawling rural ward, encompassing villages such as Balfron, Killearn, Kippen and Drymen, is one the Tories will be keen to hold.

At the last full council elections in May 2022, the party secured the largest first-preference vote share in the ward at 36 per cent, making this a closely watched contest.

Seven candidates are vying for the single vacant seat.

They include Katie Harrison, standing for the Conservatives, Mhairi Duncan for the SNP, and Paul Godzik for Labour. The Scottish Greens have put forward Andrew Adam, while James MacLaren carries the Liberal Democrat banner. Reform UK's Jeremy McDonald and independent Robert Davies complete the field.

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