By-election in Failsworth West to take place on 12 November
The local political fight in Oldham has sharpened after a date was confirmed for a by-election in Failsworth West. The contest is provisionally scheduled for 12 November, authorities have confirmed — though that date will stand only if the election is contested.
The seat became vacant after Mark Wilkinson announced he would step down as both leader of the borough’s 16-strong Reform UK group and as councillor for the ward on health grounds. Wilkinson revealed he had been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm and atrial fibrillation following treatment at the Royal Oldham Hospital and said medical advice meant he had to prioritise his recovery.
“This has inevitably made me take a serious look at my health and my future... I have been advised by medical professionals to take things easy and get plenty of rest,”
Wilkinson added that stepping down had not been easy and that serving the people of Failsworth had been a privilege. His announcement came on 24 September, only days after he was elected in a short-lived change of representation for the ward.
What the seat means for local politics
Failsworth West has seen a string of shifts in recent years. The seat was held by Labour until Sandra Ball won it as an independent in 2023. Wilkinson then won election as an independent a year later; both councillors later joined Reform UK, and the party claimed its first councillor in the ward in 2026. In a previous contest, Mark Ruthven secured 55.9% of the vote, beating Labour candidate Peter Davis.
- By-election date set for 12 November if contested.
- Seat has moved between Labour, independent and Reform UK in recent years.
- Outcome will be watched as a test for both Reform UK and Labour locally.
The coming contest has been framed as a potential barometer of party strength. For Reform UK, it will be an early test of whether the group can hold a ward it only recently captured. For Labour, the by-election provides another chance to reclaim ground in a part of Oldham described in coverage as feeling “forgotten”.
Local context and consequences
While the council continues to handle a range of local issues, the Failsworth West by-election will have immediate practical consequences for representation on the borough council. A win for any party or independent candidate will shift the composition of local voices and could influence council dynamics — particularly while the borough’s party groups work through ongoing local matters.
Campaign centres will be keenly watched for how they respond to allegations of online abuse: reporting noted that Reform UK candidates and supporters have faced personal and demeaning attacks on social media. The by-election therefore carries both political and civic significance for neighbours who want effective local representation without intimidation.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Sandra Ball elected as an independent (seat previously Labour) |
| 2024 | Mark Wilkinson elected as an independent |
| 2026 | Both councillors join Reform UK; party claims a councillor in Failsworth West |
| 24 September 2026 | Mark Wilkinson announces resignation on health grounds |
| 12 November 2026 | By-election date (if contested) |
For voters in Failsworth West, the coming weeks will be a chance to weigh recent changes and decide who should speak for their neighbourhood on the council. The by-election will be closely watched across Oldham as an indicator of whether recent shifts were transient or part of a longer-term realignment.
