'A very tight race' but Tories retain their grip on borough ward

THE Conservatives have retained one of their Broxtowe Borough Council seats by just five votes over Reform UK.

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Judy Couch won Thursday's Nuthall East and Strelley by-election with 405 votes, beating Reform UK candidate Neil Isted’s 400 votes.

The by-election came after Conservative councillor Graham Hills resigned in July.

The Conservatives have represented the ward for 14 years, with two Tory councillors elected for the area in the previous four council elections dating back to 2011.

But this by-election came at a time of significant political change, leaving some questioning whether the Tories would maintain their grip on the ward.

Between 2015 and 2023, the authority has changed hands from the Conservatives to a Labour and Lib Dem coalition and then full Labour control.