Zetland Ward by-election underway in Redcar

Voters in the Zetland ward of Redcar are casting their ballots today in a crucial by-election.

Polling stations opened at 7am and will remain open until 10pm, allowing residents to have enough time to cast their votes.  

Image Credit: Melissa Wade

The election was triggered following a resignation from Redcar and Cleveland Council last year.  

Five candidates are on the ballot paper – Alison Barnes (Liberal Democrat); Mitchell Ryne (Labour); Igraine Gray (Conservatives); Brian Marc Teasdale (Green Party) and Mike Manning (Reform UK).  

Last month Reform withdrew its support for Mike Manning after the discovery of alleged racist Facebook content he had posted. 

The party’s Redcar branch has since accused the Liberal Democrat’s and Labour of not flagging the posts until the deadline for nominating election candidates had passed, meaning another nominee could not be elected.  

The two parties have strongly denied this. 

Manning will still appear on the ballot paper, although he is no longer supported by the party and does not wish to be standing as it was too late to remove his details.  

Labour won the Zetland seat in local elections in 2023 and before that it was held by the Liberal Democrats.  

Alison Barnes, the Liberal Democrats candidate, said: “I am feeling excited at the thought of being re-elected as a councillor for Zetland Ward – the place I live and the town I love.  

“My whole team have worked incredibly hard these last couple of months.” 

The result is expected to be known late on Thursday evening.