Lib Dems win town council seat in Houghton Regis by-election

The Liberal Democrats have won a second by-election for Parkside ward in Houghton Regis since the May 2023 local elections, taking the seat from the Houghton Independents.

Sarah King topped the poll for the Lib Dems with 344 votes, 30 ahead of Hannah Bailey representing Reform UK on 314.

Newly elected Lib Dem Town Councillor Sarah King (Right) with Liberal Democrats Central Bedfordshire, Houghton Regis West, Councillor and Liberal Democrat Deputy Council Group Leader, Cllr Susan Goodchild MBE (Left).

placeholder image — Newly elected Lib Dem Town Councillor Sarah King (Right) with Liberal Democrats Central Bedfordshire, Houghton Regis West, Councillor and Liberal Democrat Deputy Council Group Leader, Cllr Susan Goodchild MBE (Left).

Ms King will serve on Houghton Regis Town Council for the Liberal Democrat Party until the May 2027 local elections.

Lisa Barry for the Labour Party was third with 93, and Catherine Clay of the Green Party received 67. The turnout was 20.2 per cent of an electorate of 4,071.

A by-election was requested after town councillor Pam Burgess resigned in May, having stood as a Houghton Independent in the 2023 elections. The turnout then was 22 per cent, with an electorate of 4,003.

Debbie Taylor won a by-election in Parkside ward for the Lib Dems in March 2024, gaining 273 votes to top the poll on a 14.78 per cent turnout.