The upcoming Barrow by-election is set for June 4, 2023, from 7am to 10pm. This election was prompted by the resignation of former councillor Niyall Phillips, who left to work with BAE in Australia. His departure resulted in two vacant seats: one for the Hawcoat and Newbarns ward on the Westmorland and Furness Council and another for the Hawcoat ward on the Barrow Town Council.
Candidates for Election
In the Hawcoat and Newbarns ward, five candidates will compete for the council seat. They are:
- Rebekah Atkinson (Greens)
- Hazel Edwards (Reform)
- Marco Fawcett (Conservatives)
- Mike Leach (Labour)
- Stephen Pickthall (Liberal Democrats)
For the Hawcoat ward, the candidates include:
- Terry Assouad (Labour)
- Hazel Edwards (Reform)
- Marco Fawcett (Conservatives)
Polling Stations
Residents will vote at designated polling stations, which include:
- St Pauls Church on Hawcoat Lane
- Hawcoat Community Centre on Skelwith Drive
- Beacon Hill Methodist Church on Holyoake Avenue
- St Aidans Church on Middle Hill
Voters should have received a poll card indicating their specific polling location.
Voter Registration and Identification
The deadline to register to vote for this by-election was May 18. Voters must now present photo identification at the polling stations. Acceptable IDs include:
- Passport
- Driving licence (including provisional)
- Blue badge
- Concessionary travel cards
- Identity cards with PASS mark
- Biometric Immigration documents
- Defence identity cards
- Certain national identity cards
Those without an acceptable form of ID are encouraged to apply for a voter authority certificate. They can request an application form through the council’s elections team via email at elections1@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
