Lib Dems hold Wiltshire Council seat in crucial by-election

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 11:29 · Archive

The Liberal Democrats have retained a Wiltshire Council seat in a by-election that preserves their precarious control of the authority.

The Liberal Democrats have held a crucial Wiltshire Council seat in the Salisbury Milford by-election, preserving their status as the largest party at County Hall. Mac McIntyre Brown won with 759 votes, defeating Conservative Laura Jones, who received 605. Reform UK's Simon Lever polled 189 and Labour's Sony Assuon 110. Turnout was 41.19 per cent across 1,663 valid votes cast.

The result gives the Liberal Democrats 43 of Wiltshire Council's 98 seats, with the Conservatives on 38, Reform UK on 10, and independents and others on seven. Had the Conservatives taken the seat, they would have had 39 councillors, which combined with Reform UK's 10 would have totalled exactly 49—matching the 49 seats held by the Lib Dems and independents.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Liberal Democrat Alan Bayliss in September, who stepped down from both Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council for personal reasons. His departure left Milford as the only vacant seat on Wiltshire Council and intensified focus on the finely-balanced political composition of the authority.

The Liberal Democrats increased their vote share by 1.8 per cent while the Conservatives were up 12.4 per cent. Reform's share of the vote fell by 6.7 per cent and Labour's by 2.1 per cent.

The significance of this contest reflects the dramatic shift in control at Wiltshire Council. In May 2025, the Conservatives lost overall control and the Liberal Democrats became the largest party for the first time in recent years. The Lib Dem victory in this by-election restores the seat they had been defending and maintains their narrow grip on the council.

How it is being reported

• Crucial by-election result preserves precarious balance of power at councilA Lib Dem victory in a crucial by-election has preserved the balance of power at County Hall.Swindon Advertiser · 16 Oct, 09:39
• Crucial by-election result preserves precarious balance of power at councilA Lib Dem victory in a crucial by-election has preserved the balance of power at County Hall.Wiltshire Times · 16 Oct, 09:39
• Crucial by-election result preserves precarious balance of power at councilA Lib Dem victory in a crucial by-election has preserved the balance of power at County Hall.Gazette & Herald · 16 Oct, 09:39

In this story: Mac McIntyre Brown · Alan Bayliss · Laura Jones · Wiltshire Council · Liberal Democrats · Conservative Party · Salisbury

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem