Labour wins Leicestershire by-election from Reform UK

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 11:02 · Archive

Labour's Jane Lennie won a Leicestershire County Council by-election in Shepshed, beating Reform UK's Stuart Wood by 53 votes.

Labour has narrowly won a Leicestershire County Council by-election in the Shepshed division, taking the seat from Reform UK. Jane Lennie secured 1,163 votes, defeating Reform's Stuart Wood by just 53 votes. The result was confirmed after a recount requested by Reform because of the narrow margin.

Labour's vote share increased significantly from 17.9% in May 2025 to 32.7%, whilst Reform's fell from 44.9% to 31.2%. The Conservatives came third, Restore Britain fourth, with the Liberal Democrats and Greens finishing fifth and sixth respectively. In total seven votes were discounted.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Reform councillor Helen Butler in August. Reform still controls Leicestershire County Council with a minority administration of 23 seats out of 53. The result means Labour now has three councillors at County Hall, with Conservatives holding 15 seats, Liberal Democrats 11, and one each for the Green Party, Restore Britain and an independent.

Jewel Miah, leader of Labour's county council group, said it was a fantastic result, stating 'The people of Shepshed have spoken and have chosen Labour to represent them because they felt let down by Reform.' Loughborough's Labour MP Jeevun Sandher called it a brilliant victory for a brilliant candidate.

How it is being reported

• Labour narrowly beats Reform UK in 'brilliant' Leicestershire by-election winJust a handful of votes separated the candidatesLeicestershire Live · 16 Oct, 10:37
• Labour take seat from Reform UK in by-election winLabour's Jane Lennie takes a seat on Leicestershire County Council after a recount.BBC Leicester · 16 Oct, 06:58

In this story: Jane Lennie · Stuart Wood · Helen Butler · Labour · Reform UK · Shepshed · Leicestershire

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