Calne Town Council currently has two vacancies, one in the Chilvester & Abberd Ward and another in the Calne Central Ward following two resignations.
A by-election will take place next month to fill the Chilvester & Abberd Ward seat, following the resignation of Cllr Jackie Beckett.
The poll is scheduled for Thursday 20th November 2025, with voting open from 7am to 10pm.
Two candidates are standing: Paul Logan (Reform UK) and Thomas John Taylor (Liberal Democrats).
Paul Logan told us: "I am very pleased, on behalf of Reform UK, to contest the vacant seat of Chilvester & Abberd on the 20th of November. I was born in Gibraltar in 1958 and have lived with my partner in Calne since 2001. I'm semi-retired but still work part-time at the Tesco superstore in Calne. I make a point of using the town centre for shopping as much as I can and obviously enjoy the odd drink in our local pubs. I intend, if elected, to provide a new, fresh outlook to working with all Calne Town councillors and all residents for a better Calne for everyone."
Thomas Taylor has been approached for comment, and the article will be updated when a response is received.
No candidates have been put forward from the Conservatives or Labour Party.
Chairman of Calne Branch Labour Party, John Boaler commented: "This by-election is costing Calne Town Council (i.e., Council Tax payers in the town) £13,316.30. The Independent councillor whose resignation has led to this by-election was elected less than six months ago on 1st May. We feel very strongly that candidates who put themselves forward for election should be committed to serving for the full term of office (four years) unless a change in personal circumstances prevents this.
"Coming so early in the electoral cycle, there was a good case for councillors going for co-option, and saving the town £13k, which we felt could be much better spent. Nevertheless, those who have come forward to contest this by-election have every right to do so; and we acknowledge that an election is always more democratic than a co-option. We hope the by-election will be fought on local issues and with civility, and that there is not a recurrence of the hostile and aggressive social media posts that surfaced during the local elections earlier this year. While Labour has decided not to contest this by-election, we encourage voters to support the candidate they think will do most to unite our community."
However, Cllr Orrey Pike, Conservative representative on Calne Town Council, said it was “deeply concerning” that anyone would view the democratic process purely in financial terms.
"Democracy is not an expense, it is an investment in our community and in the principles that underpin public life," said Cllr Pike.
"The people of Calne have every right to choose their representatives through the ballot box. Once we begin to measure democracy in pounds and pence, we risk eroding the very trust that sustains it."
Cllr Pike added that councillors give up their time voluntarily and should not be criticised if personal circumstances force them to step down.
"Local councillors like me are volunteers who give up their time freely in service to their communities. We are not salaried politicians but ordinary people who step forward because we want to make a positive difference," he said.
He concluded: "As a Conservative, I believe in sound financial management but never at the expense of fairness, democracy, or common sense. This by-election is an opportunity to reaffirm those values and ensure that Calne continues to have strong, accountable, and democratic representation that puts residents first."
Polling will take place at two locations within the ward:
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Calne Corn Exchange, Town Hall, The Strand, Calne (register numbers ML1-1 to ML1-2406/1)
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Bremhill View Clubhouse, Bremhill View, Calne (register numbers ML2-1 to ML2-1545)
In addition, a vacancy has arisen in the Calne Central Ward following the resignation of Cllr Robert MacNaughton. If ten electors from the ward submit a written request to the Returning Officer by 20th November 2025, an election will be held; otherwise, the seat will be filled by co-option. If an election is called, it must take place no later than 28 January 2026.
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