Sir Keir Starmer and Labour are braced for an immediate litmus test on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget, as three local councils go to the polls on November 27.

The Chancellor will deliver her plans for the economy on Wednesday, mere hours before voters in Sunderland, Pendle and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk make their choices.

Labour currently holds just one of the seats, Hetton in Sunderland, and is looking to defend its control of the council.

The seat was made vacant after the death of the previous Labour incumbent.

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK are also standing in all authorities up for grabs and may be hoping to turn its dominant polling results and an unpopular Labour Budget into three big wins.

Hetton (Sunderland)

A seat in Hetton ward will now be contested after the death of Labour councillor and former deputy council leader Claire Rowntree last month.

Previously, Ms Rowntree had gradually withdrawn from her duties due to ill health.

In a tribute to the late official, Sunderland Labour described her as a “stalwart councillor for the people of Hetton ward and a brilliant ambassador for the city in her numerous council leadership roles”.

They added that she had maintained a “real passion for politics, and as a socialist, an even greater passion for improving the lives of people from all walks of life and ensuring nobody was ever left behind”.

The former councillor was one of three Labour councillors serving in Hetton ward as part of a ruling majority.

Hetton, Sunderland Council candidates:

• Adam Aiston – Conservative and Unionist Party
• Mia Coupland – Liberal Democrats
• David Geddis – Independent
• Lauren May Laws – Labour Party
• Ian McKinley – Reform UK

Barnoldswick (Pendle)

On Thursday, the Liberal Democrats are set to mount a defence of a seat in Barnoldswick ward in Pendle council after the resignation of its previous representative, Mick Strickland.

The former firefighter chose to stand down from his role as a councillor due to work commitments.

“I am and will be forever grateful for the opportunity to represent my town and community in a very different way than I have previously and for all the support from colleagues, but I must take the opportunities that come along, and sadly, I cannot do both.

“I’m pleased I helped improve taxi safety during my time on the council with the introduction of compulsory recorded daily checks,” he said.

In his place, the Lib Dems have put forward mum-of-three Bryony Hartley.

Barnoldswick, Pendle Council candidates:

• Euan Robert Clouston – Labour Party
• Bryony Alys Hartley – Liberal Democrats
• Jane Pratt – Conservative and Unionist Party
• Mick Waddington – Reform UK

Hunstanton (King’s Lynn and West Norfolk)

A seat has opened up in Hunstanton, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk council, after the resignation of long-time councillor Paul Beal due to ill health last month.

Mr Beal’s decade of public service was celebrated by the deputy mayor for Hunstanton, Councillor Mark Williamson, as he addressed the council.

“I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank borough councillor Paul Beal for his long-standing commitment to the people of Hunstanton,” Mr Williamson began.

“Paul’s dedication, hard work, and unwavering service have made a real difference in our community over the years. Whether addressing local concerns, supporting community initiatives, or simply being there for residents, Paul has consistently gone above and beyond,” the deputy mayor said.

Hunstanton, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk council:

• Ade Adeyemo -Conservative and Unionist Party
• Tammy Edmunds – Liberal Democrats
• Christopher Joseph Heneghan – Labour Party
• Howard Charles Johnston – Independent
• David Frederick Nice -Independent
• Fred Pidcock – Reform UK

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