Liberal Democrat candidate wins Park ward Lincoln City Council by-election

The City of Lincoln Council has gained a new Liberal Democrat member after the party won the Park ward by-election.

Sarah Jane Uldall secured the seat on Thursday, April 3, with 366 votes, defeating candidates from Labour, Reform UK, the Conservative Party, and the Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition.

The by-election followed the death of long-serving councillor and two-time Mayor of Lincoln Sue Burke (Labour) in January. Ms Uldall said she was "absolutely thrilled" after hearing the results.

"I'm surprised – I knew it was going to be really close, so I'm very pleased indeed," she said.

Looking ahead, she hopes to draw on her experience as a former Northamptonshire County Councillor and take a greener approach to the ward, highlighting fly-tipping as a key issue. Park ward recorded the highest number of incidents every year between 2021/22 and 2023/24.

"I think, for me, the main emphasis is going to be on cleaning up the area. I work in Park ward, and it feels a little bit left behind," she added.

Sue Burke’s son, Sean Burke-Ulyat, stood as the Labour candidate, hoping to take his mother's place but fell short with 280 votes.

"I feel a bit sad. It must be very difficult for the family and very brave for her son to stand as a councillor as well. However, this is politics, and life goes on," Ms Uldall said.

Liberal Democrat group leader Clare Smalley said the victory brings their total to six members on the council, cementing their position as the lead opposition group.

Following the 2024 elections, the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives had agreed to alternate as the main opposition—Liberal Democrats in 2024 and Conservatives in 2025—due to both parties holding five seats. However, that arrangement has now changed.

"It's really positive to have another Lib Dem representative on the council, which takes us onto six – that's obviously slightly ahead of the Conservatives," said Cllr Smalley.

"I guess for them [the Conservatives] it's a sad night because they will lose out on having their year as lead opposition."

The full list of results is as follows:

Sarah Jane Uldall (Liberal Democrat) – 366

Sean Burke-Ulyat (Labour) – 280

Tony Todd (Reform UK) – 180

Joey Gwinn (Conservative) – 87

Sally Horscroft (Green Party) – 87

Nick Parker (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition) – 25

Returning officer Angela Andrews confirmed turnout for the by-election was 15.72%.

The election would have taken place alongside the county council elections on May 1 if no parties had requested an earlier vote. However, the Liberal Democrat group called for it to be held sooner so residents would not be left without representation.

It was claimed at a City of Lincoln Council meeting in March that it would cost the taxpayer £20,000, compared to £10,000 if it had been held in May.