The upcoming by-election for the Coppice Valley Ward on Harrogate Town Council is scheduled for Thursday, 6 August 2026.
The election was triggered following the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Austin Wildmore.
The official Statement of Persons Nominated released by the Returning Officer at North Yorkshire Council confirms that four candidates are contesting the Coppice Valley Ward by-election:
- HOLBREY Toby Brook, Labour Party Candidate
- MCMANUS Rebecca Clare, Liberal Democrat
- SHRAGO Jonathan Lloyd, The Conservative Party
- TOWNEND Darren Lee, Reform UK
- WORRALL Tamsin Jade, Green Party candidate
Candidate Selection Process
Following the resignation of the previous Liberal Democrat councillor, the branch invited applications from prospective candidates. Applicants went through the party’s selection process, including vetting and a panel interview. Darren stood out to the panel for his passion, energy and enthusiasm, along with his track record of local volunteering, and branch officers approved him as our candidate for the Coppice Valley by-election.
Candidate Profile & Background
Darren Townend was born and raised in Harrogate, and aside from eight years working abroad, has spent most of his life in the town. He runs two eCommerce businesses, giving him first-hand experience of the pressures facing local business owners in the current economic climate. He has also served as Deputy Treasurer for a local youth football team, reflecting his existing commitment to the community he hopes to represent.
He is standing because he wants to ensure the voices and concerns of Coppice Valley residents are heard and acted upon at Town Council level. Three issues have shaped his campaign:
- Anti-social behaviour and community safety in the ward
- Traffic and parking around Coppice Valley Primary School, particularly at drop-off and pick-up times
- Rising costs for local businesses trying to survive in a difficult trading environment
Darren said:
I’m proud to be standing as a candidate for Town Councillor. Above everything else, I want local residents and businesses to know their concerns are being heard and acted on — not just at election time.
The Cost of the By-Election
Darren said:
Every by-election carries a cost, but so does leaving residents without a voice for up to a year.
The vacancy arose when the previous Liberal Democrat councillor resigned, and we believe residents are entitled to choose their own representative rather than go without one.
The best way to avoid the cost of a by-election is for councillors to serve the full term they were elected for — but where a vacancy does occur, we believe the democratic process should run its course.
