01/08/2026
Strong Conservative win in Dronfield as Reform slip to third place
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Conservative candidate William Jones has been elected as the new Town Councillor for Dronfield South after a decisive victory in yesterday’s by-election.
Cllr Jones secured 631 votes – almost half of all votes cast – comfortably ahead of Labour’s Jonathan Williams on 384 and Reform UK’s Devon Stacey, who finished third on 251 votes. Turnout was 26.92%.
The result means Reform were pushed into a clear third place in a seat where the Conservatives ran a strong local campaign focused on protecting the Green Belt, improving facilities for young people, and delivering practical improvements for residents.
William Jones, newly elected Conservative Town Councillor for Dronfield South, said:
“I’m delighted and humbled by the result. We ran a positive campaign that focused on the issues that matter to people here in Dronfield South – not national politics. Throughout the campaign I listened carefully on the doorsteps to the concerns residents raised, and I’m determined to get on with the job of addressing them.
“Thank you to everyone who voted for me. And to those who didn’t – I am still here to represent and serve every resident of Dronfield South. I will work hard for the whole community.”
Cllr Alex Dale, local Dronfield Councillor and Leader of Derbyshire County Council’s Conservative Group, said:
“On the doorsteps so many people told us how fed up they were with Nigel Farage, his political stunts, and the way he’s spending the summer arguing with a bin just to evade proper scrutiny. I’m not surprised Reform came trailing in third place.
“What this result clearly shows is that only the Conservatives can beat Labour in North East Derbyshire. Voting Reform here simply helps Labour win.”
