Former Councillor Who Missed Six Months Of Meetings To Contest By-Election He Triggered

John Allen, who was removed from Northumberland County Council after failing to attend any meetings for six months, has confirmed he will stand as an Independent in the Hirst ward by-election triggered by his disqualification.

Background

Allen was elected in May 2025 to represent Hirst ward in Ashington. At the time he was a member of Reform UK, but the party expelled him later that year after allegations he posted comments online saying he wanted to shoot then-prime minister Keir Starmer.

Disqualification

His seat was declared vacant on 20 August after council records showed he had not attended any council meetings or sub-committees since 18 February. Under the Local Government Act 1972, a councillor's seat must be declared vacant "immediately" if they miss six consecutive months of meetings without the council's permission.

By-election Details

Polls open on 1 October. Allen will be on the ballot as an Independent. Candidates have been selected by Labour, the Conservatives, Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats; Restore Britain is also contesting the seat.

Council Context

Allen won Hirst from Labour Co-op incumbent Ken Parry in 2025 by 60 votes. The current county council composition makes a change of overall control unlikely: Conservatives 28 seats, Reform UK 18, Labour 8, the Independent Group 7, Liberal Democrats 3, Greens 2, and one non-aligned councillor.

A separate by-election in Amble will be held on the same day following the death of Reform councillor Arty Hume. The Local Democracy Reporting Service says the contests are not expected to alter the council's balance of power.

What’s Next

Voters in Hirst will choose their next representative on 1 October. The campaign will include debate over attendance, party discipline and whether an expelled councillor can regain local support as an Independent.