The Prime Minister is looking to grapple back support as the clock is ticking to turn around the failings of Sir Keir Starmer's government
Andy Burnham faces his first electoral fight this week as Britons head to the polls in five council by-elections up and down the country.
From Essex, through Kent, and down to Devon, thousands of voters will cast their ballot tomorrow as the new Prime Minister seeks to win back public opinion of the Labour Party.
Meanwhile, the right are fighting to defend their seats against the Labour tide, with the Conservatives defending seats in East Devon, Medway and South Gloucestershire, while Reform are fending off two seats on Thurrock Council in South Essex.
With representation in Westminster in some of these areas, Labour is looking to grapple back support on the council level as the clock is ticking to turn around the failings of Sir Keir Starmer's government.
A by-election is due to unfold on East Devon Council after Conservative councillor Cherry Nicholas resigned from her seat representing the Exmouth Brixington ward in May 2026.
The Tories find themselves defending the seat on the local authority, largely dominated by Independent councillors, with an equally dominant Liberal Democrat showing.
The region is also represented by the Tories in Parliament, with David Reed MP holding a seat in Westminster on behalf of Exmouth and Exeter East constituency.
Medway Council is up for a by-election this week after Conservative councillor Phil Filmer sadly passed away at the age of 74.
Mr Filmer served for almost 25 years across various positions as a ward councillor, member of the opposition, and cabinet member. He also owned several local businesses.
The Tories are defending the seat on the Labour-led council, currently holding 18 council seats to Labour's 31.
Beyond dominating the council, Labour's Lauren Edwards MP has served for Rochester and Strood since the 2024 general election.
A by-election was called in South Gloucestershire after the resignation of Conservative councillor Kris Murphy, who stepped down to join the Royal Navy.
Given his military service, it made it legally and practically impossible to continue his local government duties.
The Tories are once again defending the seat, facing competition from the Liberal Democrats – who hold minority control of the council despite the Conservatives holding 22 member seats.
In Westminster, the region is represented by Independent MP Dan Norris, who has served North East Somerset and Hanham since 2024, having previously served as Mayor of the West of England from 2021 to 2025.
Thurrock faces two by-elections this week, with a seat for Grays Riverside up for grabs after Reform councillor Joe Soper resigned from his seat in May, just two weeks after the local elections, citing a family illness.
Reform defended the seat on one of the party's most established councils – claiming 43 of the 49 seats after the local elections earlier this year.
Despite Reform's success locally, Thurrock is represented by Labour MP Jen Craft – a former civil servant elected in the 2024 general election.
The second by-election facing Thurrock sees a seat up for grabs in Grays Town, after Reform councillor Marc Stanley resigned in May, just two weeks after winning the local elections, citing a change in personal circumstances.
