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From Sheffield to Dover, from Wandsworth to Newcastle, GB News breaks down the five council by-elections this week

Kemi Badenoch's Conservatives could gain control of another council as voters go to the polls in five by-elections across the country.

Following the resignation of a Labour councillor in Wandsworth, the Conservatives could take control, making it the seventh London council in which they would have the majority of councillors.

That's not all, as Reform UK is looking to strengthen their position on councils stretching from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Dover.

GB News has done a preview of every by-election happening this week.

Guston, Kingsdown & St Margaret's-at-Cliffe (Dover)

Starting with a by-election overlooking the world-famous White Cliffs of Dover, with voters going to the polls for a seat in Guston, Kingsdown & St Margaret's-at-Cliffe.

The vote is taking place after former Conservative councillor Martin Bates resigned, citing personal reasons.

When the ward last voted in May 2023, the Conservatives won both seats with 43 per cent of the vote.

Despite the Conservatives having the most councillors, Dover Council has been run as a minority Labour administration with support from Independent councillors.

New authority elections are set to be held in 2027 before the council is set to be abolished in 2028 under Labour's local Government proposals.

At Westminster, the ward is part of the Dover and Deal constituency which Labour MP and former migration minister Mike Tapp won at the 2024 general election, beating Reform UK candidate, FairFuelUK founder and current Restore Britain transport spokesman Howard Cox with a majority of 7,559.

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN THE GUSTON, KINGSDOWN & ST MARGARET'S-AT-CLIFFE BY-ELECTION:

Throckley, Walbottle & Newburn (Newcastle upon Tyne)

From one end of the country to the other, with a by-election in the Throckley, Walbottle & Newburn ward on Newcastle upon Tyne Council.

Reform UK is defending this seat, as former councillor Amy Hunter stepped down from her post, just two months after being voted in at May’s local elections.

A party spokesman said her health, personal and work commitments had "changed abruptly” and that she was no longer able to give the role "the time and energy it demands".

The Tyneside council is currently run by a Lib Dem minority administration who hold 25 of the 78 available seats, with Reform and the Greens level on 23 following Ms Hunter’s resignation.

The ward covers the most eastern point of the Hexham constituency at Westminster (also England's largest constituency by area), which was won by Labour for the first time in its 139-year-long history, with Joe Morris beating long-serving Tory incumbent Guy Opperman with a majority of 3,713.

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN THE THROCKLEY, WALBOTTLE & NEWBURN BY-ELECTION:

Southey (Sheffield)

Heading down to the Steel City, where there'll be a by-election in the Southey ward for one of two seats on Sheffield City Council after the resignation of Councillor Gareth Slate.

The former Independent councillor stepped down from his role in July, citing family commitments.

In the May local elections, Reform UK’s Yvonne Sykes won a seat in the Southey ward with 2,157 votes, defeating former Lord Mayor Jayne Dunne, who came second with 1,059 votes.

The Yorkshire council is currently run by a Labour and Green majority coalition, with Labour's Fran Belbin as Council leader.

Once the seat of former Labour home secretary David Blunkett, the corresponding Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough constituency was won by Gill Furniss in 2024, beating Green candidate Christine Kubo with a majority of 11,600.

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN THE SOUTHEY BY-ELECTION:

Billinge & Seneley Green (St Helens)

Crossing the Pennines and Peak District over to the North West, Reform will be looking to strengthen its position on St Helens Borough Council with a by-election in the Billinge & Seneley Green ward.

The by-election was called after the resignation of former cabinet member for culture, leisure, and heritage, Reform UK's Jennifer Gerrard, who stood down citing personal reasons.

Tomorrow's by-election is not expected to have much impact on the balance of power at the town hall, with Reform holding a strong majority, with 34 councillors.

Labour MP David Baines won the corresponding St Helens North seat, beating Reform UK's Malcom Webster with a majority of 12,169 votes.

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN THE BILLINGE & SENELEY GREEN BY-ELECTION:

Trinity (Wandsworth)

The final stop on our tour across the country takes us to the capital, with a by-election in the Trinity Ward in Wandsworth following the resignation of Councillor Lizzy Dobres.

The Labour Councillor said: "I had every intention of serving my full term. However, after a prolonged period of uncertainty in my day job whilst pregnant, I have accepted a politically restricted role.

"That means I can’t serve as a councillor while working in this job. With mine and Jack's first baby due later this year, I have had to make the decision that is right for my family.

"While it is incredibly difficult to leave a role and a community I care so deeply about, I know this is the right next step.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past four years. It has been an honour to represent Trinity, and I will always be grateful for the trust you placed in me."

The result of the by-election could be crucial for the balance of power in Wandsworth, as if the Conservatives win the by-election, the group would have a two-seat majority to take control the council.

At Westminster, the corresponding Tooting constituency, once held by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, was won by Labour's Rosena Allin-Khan, who beat competition from Conservative Ethan Brooks with a whopping majority of 19,487 votes.

THE FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES STANDING IN TRINITY BY-ELECTION: