CAMPAIGNING has begun in a by-election called after a Labour councillor was elected to Parliament.

Catherine Fookes became Monmouthshire’s first female MP at July’s general election and has since resigned the Monmouthshire County Council seat she had held since the 2022 local government elections.

Her victory in the Monmouth Town ward helped Labour take power at County Hall from the Conservatives despite falling short of a majority, and it has since agreed a coalition with the single Green Party councillor to help it run the authority.

Labour will remain the largest group on the county council but will want to maintain its 22 seats by holding the town ward seat while victory for the Conservatives would take its number up to 19 on the 46 member council.

The Tories have selected Martin Newell, who in June won a by-election to Monmouth Town Council taking the seat from the incumbent Labour candidate who stood down following a court appearance.

For Labour, the candidate is Monmouth’s deputy mayor, Cllr Jackie Atkin.

Jez Becker, former councillor forChepstow’sCastle Wardis standing for the Liberal Democrats and Paul Rollings is standing for the Green Party.

Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies and Monmouthshire’s Tory Senedd Member, Peter Fox, joined supporters to campaign in Monmouth while Labour councillors and activists were also on the campaign trail.

The by-election will take place on the 24th of October between 7 am and 10 pm with the votes counted that night as soon as polling day closes.

Voters, who must be 16 or over, have until midnight on October 8 to register to vote in the election.

Postal votes will be issued on the 10th of October and will be opened on the 24th of October.

Revised legislation means you will not be able to be present or be represented at the issue of postal votes.

The opening of the postal votes will take place at the election office at county headquarters in Usk at 2 pm on October 24. An additional opening will be held at the count.