CHESTER residents will be going to the polls today as the city plays host to a Parliamentary by-election.

A record nine candidates will be vying for votes as they compete for the City of Chester seat, vacated by Labour's Chris Matheson.

Mr Matheson, who held a 6,164-vote majority at the December 2019 General Election, resigned on October 21 following an independent panel's findings of serious sexual misconduct.

While he denied the findings, he stood down from his post, shortly after the Labour Party had removed the whip from him.

Chester will be holding its first by-election since 1956.

That was when Conservative MP Sir Basil Nield – who had held the seat since 1940 – stepped down from the role as he had been appointed Recorder of Manchester.

The nine candidates standing are:

  • Labour – Samantha Dixon MBE
  • Conservatives – Elizabeth (Liz) Wardlaw
  • Liberal Democrats – Rob Herd
  • UK Independence Party – Cain Griffiths
  • Green Party – Paul Bowers
  • Rejoin EU – Richard Hewison (party leader)
  • Freedom Alliance – Chris Quartermaine
  • Reform UK – Jeanie Barton
  • Monster Raving Loony Party – Alan 'Howling Laud' Hope (party leader)

Due to Royal Mail strikes this week, it is recommended that anyone who has not submitted their postal vote can do so at Chester HQ on Nicholas Street, up until 5pm on Thursday, December 1.

They can also bring their completed postal pack to any of the polling stations in operation on Thursday.

The count will be taking place at the Northgate Arena on Thursday night, after the polls close at 10pm.

Boxes are expected to arrive at the arena shortly after this time.

The history of the electoral seat has been dominated by two parties for most of the past century.

From 1931 until 1997, the City of Chester constituency was held by Conservative MPs. Since then, apart from 2010-2015 when Stephen Mosley held the seat for the Tories, it has been Labour which held the seat, via Christine Russell (MP in 1997-2010) and Chris Matheson (2015-2022).

  • The Standard will be at the count on Thursday night, providing coverage as the night unfolds on our website at www.chesterstandard.co.uk