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Eccleshall Gnosall Ward by-Election: All You Need to Know

Published

3 weeks ago

5 July 2025

Archie

Eccleshall Gnosall Ward by-Election: All You Need to Know

Something unusual is happening in the villages of Eccleshall and Gnosall in Staffordshire this summer. Just weeks after people voted in the local elections, they’re being asked to vote again. This might seem confusing—but it’s all because of a surprising twist: the newly elected councillor has stepped down.

That sudden resignation has triggered a by-election in the Eccleshall Gnosall Ward, and it’s now set to take place on 17 July 2025. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about it—what caused it, who’s running, when to vote, and why this small local election is turning into a big political moment.

Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy and clear for everyone to understand.

Where Is the Eccleshall Gnosall Ward?

The Eccleshall Gnosall Ward is part of Staffordshire County Council. It includes two large rural villages—Eccleshall and Gnosall—along with a few nearby hamlets and countryside communities. This area is located to the west of Stafford and has a mix of quiet farmland, family homes, and small businesses.

People living here usually care about things like good road conditions, local GP services, school transport, farming rights, and planning permissions. It’s the kind of place where neighbours know each other, and local decisions really matter.

For many years, this ward has been a stronghold for the Conservative Party, but something surprising happened in the May 2025 election—and now voters get a second chance to decide who represents them.

Why Is the By-Election Happening?

You might be wondering: didn’t we just vote? And yes—you’re right. In May 2025, residents of Eccleshall and Gnosall went to the polls and elected Wayne Titley of Reform UK to the Staffordshire County Council. He beat the Conservative candidate and won the seat—something that shocked many people.

But just seven weeks later, Wayne Titley resigned. No clear public reason was given. This sudden resignation left the seat empty, and by law, a by-election must be held to choose a new councillor. That’s why voters will return to the ballot box again on 17 July 2025.

It’s very rare to see a by-election happen so quickly after a general local election, which is why this story has caught attention across Staffordshire.

Key Dates for the By-Election

Now that the by-election has been announced, there’s a clear timeline for what happens next. Here are the most important dates that everyone in Eccleshall and Gnosall should know:

12 June 2025 – The by-election was officially announced.
20 June 2025 (4pm) – Last day for candidates to be nominated.
1 July 2025 (5pm) – Final deadline to register to vote.
2 July 2025 (5pm) – Last day to apply for a postal vote.
9 July 2025 (5pm) – Deadline to apply for a proxy vote or voter ID certificate.
17 July 2025 – Polling day! You can vote between 7:00am and 10:00pm.

If you live in the ward and want to vote, you must be registered by 1 July. If you need to vote by post or through someone else (proxy), you must apply in time. These deadlines are strict—so don’t miss them.

Who Can Vote in the By-Election?

Voting in the Eccleshall Gnosall Ward by-Election is open to anyone who meets a few simple requirements:

You must be 18 or older on polling day.
You must be registered to vote in the ward.
You must be a British, Irish, EU, or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.
You must live in the area (as your main home).

If you’re not sure whether you’re registered, you can check with Stafford Borough Council. And if you’ve just moved to the area or turned 18 recently, you should register before the 1 July deadline.

How to Vote in the Eccleshall Gnosall By-Election

Voting in this by-election is simple, but there are a few changes you should know about. In 2025, voter ID is now required for all in-person voting in England.

Here’s how you can vote:

In Person at a Polling Station

Go to your local polling station on 17 July between 7am and 10pm. Bring your photo ID—like a passport, driver’s license, or official voter ID card. If you don’t have any ID, you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

By Post

You can apply for a postal vote if you prefer to vote from home. You must apply by 2 July 2025. Your ballot paper will be sent to you by mail, and you’ll need to return it by election day.

By Proxy

If you can’t vote yourself, you can ask someone you trust to vote on your behalf. This is called proxy voting, and you must apply by 9 July 2025.

If you’ve never voted before, don’t worry—it’s quick and easy. The staff at polling stations are always friendly and ready to help.

Who Are the Candidates?

There are four candidates standing in the Eccleshall Gnosall Ward by-Election. Each one represents a different party, and they bring their own ideas and promises.

Here’s who’s running:

Jeremy Pert – Conservative Party
Ray Barron – Reform UK
Leah Elston-Thompson – Labour Party
Scott Spencer – Green Party

Let’s quickly introduce each of them:

Jeremy Pert used to be the councillor here before losing the seat in May. He’s now trying to win it back for the Conservatives.
Ray Barron is stepping in for Wayne Titley, hoping to keep the seat for Reform UK.
Leah Elston-Thompson is Labour’s candidate, with a focus on community care, housing, and transport.
Scott Spencer from the Green Party is bringing attention to climate action and sustainability in the ward.

Each of these candidates will campaign hard to earn your vote—and in the next section, we’ll explore what they’re promising.

What Each Candidate Is Promising

Now that we know who’s running, let’s look at what each candidate is saying. This is where things get interesting. Every party is talking about issues that matter to local people—and each has a different plan.

Jeremy Pert from the Conservative Party is focusing on local services. He says he’ll fix roads, improve public health services, and support older people in the community. He’s already held this seat before, so he’s telling voters that he has the experience to do the job well.

Ray Barron, the Reform UK candidate, is talking about cutting council waste, lowering taxes, and protecting freedom of speech. Reform UK shocked many people when they won the seat in May, and Ray wants to build on that success. He says local people deserve something new—not just the same old politics.

Leah Elston-Thompson from Labour is focused on housing, transport, and fair funding for schools. She wants better bus services and more help for young families. She’s also talking about cost-of-living issues, which many people are feeling right now.

Scott Spencer of the Green Party is all about protecting nature and making the ward cleaner and greener. He wants safer walking routes, better recycling, and more support for local green spaces. Even though the Greens rarely win here, Scott is hoping voters will care more about the environment in 2025.

So, there’s a wide mix of ideas. This makes the Eccleshall Gnosall Ward by-Election even more important—because every vote really counts.

Why This Vote Really Matters

You might think, “It’s just one seat—does it really matter?” Yes, it does. And here’s why.

First, this seat is part of Staffordshire County Council. That means whoever wins will help make big decisions about roads, schools, libraries, social care, and more across the whole county. So even one vote in one ward can make a difference.

Second, this by-election is a kind of “second chance.” In May, voters picked Reform UK for the first time ever. Now that the seat is empty again, it’s an open race. Will voters go back to the Conservatives? Or try something new again? The result could tell us a lot about how people feel in 2025.

Finally, other parties across the UK are watching this closely. A small local election like this can show signs of bigger political trends. That’s why many are calling the Eccleshall Gnosall Ward by-Election a “mini referendum” on today’s politics.

What Happened in the Last Election?

Let’s go back to May 2025 for a moment. That’s when voters across Staffordshire voted in the regular county council elections. In Eccleshall Gnosall Ward, something surprising happened.

Wayne Titley, running for Reform UK, won the seat. He defeated Jeremy Pert, the sitting Conservative councillor. Many people were shocked—this was a big change in a place that had voted Conservative for years.

But then, just weeks later, Titley stepped down. No one knows exactly why, and there was no full public statement. His party, Reform UK, is now trying to hold on to the seat through Ray Barron.

That sudden win—and then the sudden exit—left voters feeling surprised, confused, and maybe a little frustrated. That’s why this by-election feels so important.

What Will Turnout Be Like?

Turnout means how many people actually go out and vote. In big elections, lots of people show up. But in smaller ones, especially in the summer, fewer do.

In May 2025, turnout in Eccleshall Gnosall Ward was fairly strong. But this time, with a single-seat by-election in the middle of July, it might be lower. People go on holiday. Others may feel tired of politics. And some might not even know a vote is happening again.

Still, many voters in this area care deeply about local issues. Roads, schools, and planning decisions affect their daily lives. So if candidates can get their message out, and voters understand what’s at stake, we may see a good number of people turn out again.

If you live in the ward, your vote really could decide the result—especially in a close race like this.

What Happens After the Vote?

So, what happens next after you vote in the Eccleshall Gnosall Ward by-Election on 17 July?

After polls close at 10:00pm, all the ballot boxes will be taken to the main counting center. Staff will carefully count the votes—usually overnight. If everything goes smoothly, the winner should be announced early in the morning on 18 July 2025.

Once the winner is declared, they will become the official county councillor for Eccleshall and Gnosall. They’ll join Staffordshire County Council and start attending meetings, voting on issues, and working with residents.

The person who wins will hold the seat until the next full council elections—unless something else unexpected happens again.

Bottom-Line

The Eccleshall Gnosall Ward by-Election is more than just another local vote. It’s a chance for residents to choose a new voice for their community. It’s also a chance to correct, confirm, or challenge the result from May.

So, what should you do?

Check if you’re registered to vote before 1 July.
Decide how you want to vote—in person, by post, or by proxy.
Learn more about the candidates. Ask questions. Read their leaflets. Follow their social media.
Show up on 17 July and have your say.

In a small ward like this, every single vote really matters. Whether you want to keep things the same or try something new, this is your chance to be heard.