By-election confirmed in West Northamptonshire ward after former Reform councillor resigns following months as independent
A by-election has been confirmed in a West Northamptonshire ward, after a former Reform councillor resigned, following months of sitting as an independent.
On Thursday May 7, 2026, voters living in the Hackleton and Roade ward will go to the polls to elect a new councillor.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) announced the resignation of Councillor Adam Smith on Tuesday March 17 and published a notice of casual vacancy, confirming a by-election would take place if the seat is contested.
Cllr Smith was elected to the Hackleton and Roade ward in the local elections in May 2025, when Reform took control of WNC.
Just five weeks after the elections, the party announced Cllr Smith was suspended from Reform as his “actions and behaviours brought both the party and the Reform UK group on West Northamptonshire Council into disrepute”. An internal investigation also determined that his whip would not be restored, which means the political party formally withdrew its support for the member as a representative of the party.
Since his suspension, Cllr Smith sat independently on the council, with no affiliation to any political party, for months, until his resignation.
As an announcement for the by-election has now been made, potential candidates will have until 4pm on Thursday April 9 to submit their nomination papers.
The vacant seat is one of two WNC seats covering Hackleton and Roade ward, which also covers areas including Stoke Bruerne, Blisworth, Hartwell and Milton Malsor and represents around 9,000 residents. Conservative councillor Fiona Cole is the other representative for the ward.
The next full local elections are due to take place on May 2029.
Voting information
Deadline to register to vote: Monday April 20. If you have moved or changed name recently, you may need to update your details. Register to vote online.
Deadline to register for postal vote: 5pm on Tuesday April 21. Register for a postal vote online.
Deadline to register for proxy vote: 5pm on Tuesday April 28. Register for a proxy vote online. Register to vote via proxy vote.
All voters need a photo ID. If you do not have an accepted form of ID, such as a passport or driving licence, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply for this is 5pm on Tuesday April 28. Apply here.