Political parties are facing off in a crucial Salford council by-election taking place next month.
Residents in Barton and Winton will go to the polls on April 22 to decide who they want to represent the area in the council chamber.
The vote was called at the request of two registered voters in the city after the death of Councillor David Lancaster in February, who was believed to be England’s longest-serving councillor.
Calls for an early by-election just weeks before the May local elections were slammed as ‘petty-minded politicking’ by political group leaders at Salford town hall.
The ward covers an area to the west of Eccles town centre, from Barton upon Irwell and up to Winton.
It is a ward where Labour have historically performed well.
The last time an election was held in Barton and Winton in May 2024, Labour Councillor Jacqui Fahy was elected with 1,633 votes.
Jack Smith from the Green Party came second in the ward in 2024 with 386 votes.
The by-election comes as ReformUK are riding high in the national polls, and after the Green Party won the recent Gorton and Denton by-election for a seat in Parliament.
Salford council has confirmed the candidates who are standing in the Barton and Winton contest on April 22.
They are listed in a statement of persons nominated as follows:
- Kirsty Anne Downie, independent
- Antony Ian Duke, Lib Dems
- Michael James Felse, ReformUK
- Catherine Goodyer, Labour
- Jack Groom, Green Party
- Holly Ann Muldoon, Conservatives
Kirsty Downie is understood to be standing as an ‘independent Your Party’ candidate.
