Key deadlines loom for Fletton and Woodston by-election voters
Peterborough residents who plan to vote in the Fletton and Woodston by-election on July 16 are being urged to remain mindful of two important upcoming deadlines.
Voter Authority Certificate applications
Voters who do not currently have an accepted type of photo ID – which is now required by law to be presented at polling stations – have less than 24 hours left to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (VAC).
This is essentially a free paper document with a photo on it that individuals can use to prove their identity when voting.
Those needing a VAC have until 5pm on Wednesday, July 8 to apply, which can be done by visiting the GOV.UK website.
Proxy voting applications
Similarly, residents who are unable to get to a polling station (or choose their preferred candidate by post) also have until 5pm on Wednesday, July 8 to apply for a proxy vote.
Proxy voting allows individuals to appoint someone they trust to vote on their behalf, either at the polling station or by post.
Residents can apply for a proxy vote by completing the proxy vote application form on the Electoral Commission website and returning it to the Electoral Services Department at the Town Hall on Bridge Street.
Further information on VACs and proxy voting is available at [email protected].
Who is standing?
There are six candidates set to contest the Fletton and Woodston by-election on July 16. They are, in alphabetical order:
Janet Brown (Conservative)
Ryan Gallagher (Reform UK)
Adam Marshall (Labour)
Lewis Page (Liberal Democrats)
Katherine Sharp (Green Party)
Jonathan Wilde (Your Party)
Current make up of the council
The Fletton and Woodston seat set to be contested is the only vacant seat on the council. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Independent councillor Daisy Blakemore-Creedon, who stepped down on May 29.
The current political make-up of Peterborough City Council looks like this:
The Conservatives are the largest party with 13 elected representatives.
Labour (including Labour and Co-operative) are second with 11 councillors. However, their party leader, Cllr Shabina Qayyum, remains Leader of the Council due to a coalition with other parties.
The Liberal Democrats have eight councillors, which is also the same number as Independent and Peterborough First councillors currently sitting in the council chamber.
The Green Party have six members on the authority, while Reform UK have five.