In a tightly fought contest declared overnight, Andrew O’Neil (Reform UK) edged out the Green Party by just 36 votes, taking the ward and delivering a major symbolic win for Nigel Farage’s party in a Peterborough City Council by-election.
The result marks a significant moment in Peterborough politics, with Reform gaining a foothold on the council for the first time as voter fragmentation continues to reshape local elections.
FLETTON AND WOODSTON BY-ELECTION RESULT
Winner: Andrew O’Neil (Reform) – 565 votes
Ed Murphy (Green) – 529
Andrew Willey (Conservative) – 419
Harvey Woodhouse (Labour) – 323
Neil Walton (Lib Dem) – 84
Rejected papers: 6
Turnout was around 25%, in line with recent elections in the ward.
Reform breakthrough in traditionally marginal ward
The by-election was triggered by the death of Labour councillor Nick Thulbourn, who passed away in December 2025 and had been widely respected across the council chamber.
Fletton and Woodston has long been one of Peterborough’s most marginal wards. In 2023, Thulbourn won by just 12 votes, underlining how finely balanced local support has been in recent years.
But Thursday’s poll delivered an entirely new outcome, with Reform surging past Labour and the Conservatives to take the seat.
Andrew O’Neil: ‘People want change’
Reform’s winning candidate Andrew O’Neil, a resident of Old Fletton and founder of the local Neighbourhood Watch group, fought his campaign heavily on community safety, antisocial behaviour and what he described as “common sense politics”.
His victory will be seen by Reform supporters as proof the party can convert national momentum into local representation — even in areas where it previously had no presence.
O’Neil becomes the party’s first councillor in Peterborough at a time when Reform is increasingly targeting urban and mixed wards across the East of England.
Greens fall just short after strong challenge
The Green Party came within touching distance of victory, with former Labour councillor and Honorary Alderman Ed Murphy finishing second on 529 votes.
The Greens had thrown significant effort into the contest, framing the race as a battle of “hope versus division” and urging tactical support to stop Reform gaining ground.
Despite falling short, the result represents one of the strongest Green performances in the ward’s history and confirms their growing local base in parts of Peterborough.
Labour pushed into fourth place
Perhaps the most striking element of the result was Labour’s collapse to fourth, with candidate Harvey Woodhouse securing just 323 votes.
Labour had held the seat prior to the by-election and will now face difficult questions about how support drained away so sharply in a ward they only narrowly gained in 2023.
The defeat comes as Labour continue to run Peterborough City Council as a minority administration in a chamber with no overall control.
With the council already fragmented between Independents, Peterborough First, Conservatives, Lib Dems and Greens, Reform’s arrival adds another layer of political complexity.
Conservatives and Lib Dems trail behind
The Conservatives, represented by Andrew Willey, placed third with 419 votes, while Liberal Democrat candidate Neil Walton finished fifth on 84.
The result underlines the continued decline of traditional two-party dominance in Peterborough, with voters increasingly splitting between multiple parties and local groups.
What this means for Peterborough City Council
Reform’s win does not immediately change control of the council, which remains hung, but it is politically significant.
It strengthens the opposition benches and signals shifting voter sentiment in one of the city’s most closely watched wards.
The by-election was held to fill one of two vacancies caused by recent deaths of Labour councillors, with another by-election expected later this year following the passing of long-serving councillor Alan Dowson.
With local government reorganisation also looming — and elections postponed until 2027 — parties are already positioning for what could be a turbulent new political era in Peterborough.
A warning sign for the established parties
For Reform UK, the victory is a clear breakthrough.
For Labour and the Conservatives, it will be viewed as a warning: Peterborough voters are increasingly willing to abandon the traditional parties and back alternatives.
In Fletton and Woodston, the message from the ballot box is unmistakable.
Reform are no longer knocking at the door.
They are now inside the council chamber.
