A by-election is due to be held in the Frome West division for a seat on Somerset Council following the resignation of Cllr Michael Dunk.
The election will take place on 3rd September 2026.
The candidates are: Dominic James Ellison (Green Party), Drew Gardner (Liberal Democrats), David Salter Quantrill-Simon (Conservative Party), Christopher David Wildridge (Labour Party), and Joseph Williams (Reform UK).
Cllr Dunk resigned last month after an unsuccessful appeal against his conviction for his role in a Just Stop Oil protest in 2022.
He was among activists who climbed gantries on the M25 as part of a protest calling for an end to new fossil fuel projects. He was sentenced to 26 months in prison after being found guilty of causing a public nuisance and was later released on licence.
Under Somerset Council’s constitution, anyone convicted of a criminal offence and given a prison sentence of at least three months cannot remain as a councillor.
Residents who need to register to vote must do so by midnight on Monday 17th August. Applications can be made online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Pictured: Cllr Michael Dunk
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