Farnley and Wortley: Green Party councillor 'delighted' after taking Leeds City Council seat in by-election
The Green Party has become the joint-third biggest political party in Leeds following a by-election victory.
David Blackburn was re-elected as a councillor for the Farnley and Wortley ward last night (Thursday) following the vote.
The Green Party candidate took the seat with 1,450 votes, with second-placed Labour candidate Al Gathwaite earning 965 votes.
Coun Blackburn said: “I represented the ward for 26 years until the May election and after five months of retirement I’m delighted to be back and would like to express my thanks to the electorate.”
He added: “I am incredibly honoured by the trust the people of Farnley and Wortley have placed in me once more. It means I can continue fighting for a fairer, greener Leeds alongside my five Green Party colleagues in the council chamber.
“Whether it’s tackling local housing issues, supporting renewable energy, or protecting green spaces, I will ensure that our community’s voice is heard loud and clear in Leeds City Council.”
Ms Garthwaite was previously the Lord Mayor of Leeds from 2023 to 2024, before she was ousted at the last local elections on May 4, losing her Headingley and Hyde Park seat to newly elected Green councillor Tim Goodall after eight years.
The by-election came about after Mark Sewards, who had served as a Labour councillor in the ward for the last two years, stood down from the post to focus on his work as a newly elected MP.
The victory makes the Green Party the joint-third biggest party on Leeds City Council, with six seats each.
Below are the election results in full:
- Allison, Peter – Independent: 70
- Andrews, Peter – Liberal Democrats: 118
- Blackburn, David – Green: 1,450
- Dresser, David – Reform: 912
- Garthwaite, Al – Labour: 965
- Riley, Richard – Social Democratic Party: 26
- Suryawanshi, Lalit – Conservative: 202