Residents of Cuxton, Halling, Upper Halling and a section of Strood will vote in a by-election on 23 July after the death of Councillor Phil Filmer in May. The contest has attracted attention because the ward has been reliably Conservative since the formation of Medway Council in 1998, but a number of parties now believe the seat could change hands.
What’s at stake
The ward — now titled Cuxton, Halling and Riverside — has returned Conservative councillors with sizeable majorities across multiple boundary configurations. That consistency is being tested this month as several challengers press a range of local issues to voters, from public transport to river pollution.
Who’s standing
The contest has a full slate of candidates representing major and smaller parties. Local sources identify the following frontrunners:
- Conservative — Richard Thorne
- Reform UK — William Burvill
- Green Party — Trish Marchant
- Labour — Iain Childs
- Liberal Democrats — Ron Gillett
Reform UK is viewed as a strong challenger after its success in two of three Medway by-elections last February, making William Burvill an assumed contender. The Greens are also campaigning hard: their candidate, Trish Marchant, came close in the previous contest, finishing only 44 votes behind the winner. Labour’s Iain Childs has focused canvassing on local services including bus provision, while the Lib Dem candidate Ron Gillett is emphasising action on water quality and holding companies to account over sewage in rivers.
Local concerns shaping the contest
Conversations around the ward suggest several recurring themes:
- public transport and bus services, especially for residents dependent on local routes;
- care and services for older people in the area;
- environmental issues, notably river pollution and the role of water companies;
- visibility and presence of candidates on the doorstep, which has been highlighted by some residents as influential in their decision.
| Party | Candidate | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Richard Thorne | Continue traditional representation |
| Reform UK | William Burvill | Recent by-election gains |
| Green Party | Trish Marchant | Environmental issues; close previous result |
| Labour | Iain Childs | Bus services, local services |
| Liberal Democrats | Ron Gillett | Water company accountability |
Some residents say they are undecided about the importance of the town council seat, while others have already made up their minds. The mix of established party loyalty and recent by-election volatility across Medway means the result could be closer than historical patterns suggest.
The by-election will be watched locally for signs of wider political shifts in Medway, and for its immediate impact on services and representation in the riverside communities involved.
