‘Political stunt!’ Request to stage Lincoln by-election month earlier will cost £20,000, councillors claim

Staging a by-election has cost an extra £10,000 - because it was called a few weeks early, councillors claim.

An election to fill the City of Lincoln’s Park ward seat - which was previously held by the late Labour councillor Sue Burke - will be held on Thursday, April 3.

It would have taken place alongside the regular county council elections on May 1 if no parties had requested it.

However, the Liberal Democrat group asked that it be held as soon as possible so that residents weren’t left without a representative.

It was claimed at a council meeting on Tuesday (March 4) that the special election will cost the taxpayer £20,000, compared to £10,000 if it had been held in May.

The Labour and Conservative groups both criticised the move as a ‘political stunt’.

Coun Tom Dyer (Con) said: “The winner won’t properly take the seat until May after the county elections – this is a political stunt.

“The Liberal Democrats might be successful in taking a seat from Labour, but it is disappointing just to win a by-election. I wouldn’t have done it.”

Coun Donald Nannestad (Lab) said: “The winner will take their seat in a time of purdah, (the period in the run-up to an election) and will have very little to do.

“This is a political move by the Lib Dems, and will make a huge difference for the sake of a few days.”

Speaking after the meeting, Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Christopher said: “The people have got a right to a representative in a system of democracy.

“Councillors can call for a by-election in a vacant seat whenever they want, and it’s important that an area as deprived as Park ward has a seat.

“The St Giles ward has been without a county council representative for months since Coun Nicola Clarke resigned in November.

“It is important that people are represented.”

Park ward covers the area to the east of the lower High Street, including the Sincil Bank and St Catherines areas.

Coun Burke had represented the area since 2016, and sadly died in January.

The names of nominated candidates to fill the seat will be announced next week.