Reform UK announce candidate for Barnsley by-election
Barnsley Reform UK have announced her candidacy on social media.
Barnsley Reform UK have announced their candidate for the upcoming by-election in August for Penistone East.
Reform UK’s Barnsley branch has confirmed on social media that Eunice Asante will run in the upcoming by-election on Thursday, August 20, 2026
Asante previously ran as a Reform candidate for the Darton East ward, in the May 2026 local elections in Barnsley.
The August by-election was triggered by outgoing Reform councillor Kay Hughes resigning for ‘personal reasons’, eight weeks after being elected.
Eunice Asante said: “Since being elected, Reform councillors have already started delivering change – challenging wasteful council spending, reducing the cost of the Mayor’s office, bringing back the St George’s Flag at Barnsley Town Hall, standing up against damaging solar farm proposals and pushing for better, longer-lasting solutions to our roads.
“I’m standing to continue that work – putting residents first, protecting our countryside, ensuring taxpayers get value for money and making sure local people have a strong voice at Barnsley Council.”
This is the second candidate to be announced, with Labour announcing ex-councillor John Roberts on July 22.
Barnsley Council said that all candidates will be formally announced on Friday, July 24.
Voters are encouraged to ensure they are registered by midnight on Tuesday, August 4, in order to vote in this by-election.
The full list of candidates for the by-election are:
- Eunice Asante - Reform UK
- Steven John Burkinshaw - Conservative Party
- Ehren Holt - Green Party
- Peter Millar - Independent
- John Roberts - Labour Party
- Carlo Turner - Independent
- Andy Waters - Liberal Democrats
- David Wood - Restore Britain