Local elections 2024: Bunwell villagers heading to the polls

Jo Thewlis - BBC political reporter, Norfolk
·2 min read

Voters in a small part of south Norfolk could determine who controls their local council by the end of this week.

A by-election is being held in the Bunwell ward on Thursday following the death of its former councillor in March, Conservative Stephen Ridley.

If the Tories lose the seat, they would lose control of South Norfolk Council on which they have a majority of just one.

The results will be announced on Friday.

Peter and Rhonda Clark
Peter and Rhonda Clark, both 65, are planning to vote in the by-election on Thursday [JO THEWLIS/BBC]

Campaigners are fighting plans by National Grid to build an 112 mile-long (180km) power line from Norwich to Tilbury in Essex, which would pass near Bunwell.

Rhonda and Peter Clarke, 65, who both live in Bunwell, said the issue did not concern them.

"People are worried about the pylons but it's a necessity," said Ms Clarke. "We just happen to be in the area. It has to be done."

Anti-pylons sign, with a pylon in background
Some local people are calling for National Grid to bury the power lines along the whole route, or build the route out at sea [BBC]

John Chapman, chairman of Bunwell Parish Council, said this would be the third election for voters in Bunwell in the past 12 months.

The district council elections were held in May 2023 and a by-election was called for the West Depwade seat on Norfolk County Council in July the same year.

"The Conservatives and Labour are pushing very hard and the others are as well for this election," he said

"There's also a lot of encouragement to get people out and vote."

In the balance

The Conservatives have 24 seats on South Norfolk Council, having lost 11 in last year's local elections.

The Liberal Democrats have 11 seats, followed by Labour who have 9. There are also 2 independents members.

The Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green Party are all fielding candidates in the by-election

Richard Bacon
Conservative Richard Bacon is standing down as South Norfolk MP at the next general election [UK Parliament]

What happens in Bunwell on Thursday could well test the mood in south Norfolk.

The constituency's long-standing Conservative MP, Richard Bacon, is standing down at the next general election, having represented South Norfolk for the past 23 years.

The Greens are also looking to do well here, having won control of nearby Mid Suffolk District Council in the 2023 local elections.

A full list of candidates in the election can be found on the South Norfolk Council website.

Polling stations are due to open 07:00-22:00 BST on Thursday.

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