News / southmead
Labour victory in Southmead by-election
A former cabinet member who lost his seat in 2021 is making a swift return to City Hall after seizing victory in the Southmead by-election.
Labour’s Kye Dudd was declared the winner on Thursday night, narrowly beating Green contender Edward Burnham by just 52 votes after polls closed.
Both of the city’s leading parties efforts ramped up efforts ahead of the by-election in the north Bristol ward, with door to door campaigning and litter picks.
is needed now More than ever
The Labour victory sees the party retain the seat, which was previously held by Helen Godwin who stepped down in December. It also means the balance of councillor seats in City Hall remain equally divided between Labour and Green, with 24 each. Labour mayor Marvin Rees was reelected in 2021 and presides over an all-red cabinet.
MP for Bristol North West Darren Jones and the mayor were among the first to issue congratulations to Dudd, who will join Labour colleague Brenda Massey in representing Southmead.
Dudd, who was cabinet member for transport before losing his Central ward seat in the 2021 council elections, was selected after a vote of party members to fight the by-election.
The 37-year-old has worked for Royal Mail and is an active member of the Communication Workers Union.
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Turnout in the ward was 21.2 per cent, with 1,891 votes cast.
The results in order of votes cast were:
- Kye Dudd, Labour Party: 780 votes
- Edward Burnham, Green Party: 728 votes
- Roddy Jaques, Conservative Party: 279 votes
- Gill Brooks, Liberal Democrat: 82 votes
- Tom Baldwin, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition: 22 votes
Main photo: Labour Party
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