A BY-ELECTION is set to be held in Bradninch to fill a vacant seat after the previous Liberal Democrat leader of Mid Devon District Council resigned to take up a job transfer in the United States of America.

The by-election will take place on Thursday, October 15.

The candidate for the Labour Party is Piers Martin Kotting, for the Green Party Kirsty Mackenzie, for the Conservative Party Dirk McFarlane-Aitken, for Reform UK Liam O’Brien, and for the Liberal Democrats Mary Ryan.

All the candidates either live in Bradninch or Mid Devon.

Luke Taylor had represented Bradninch since 2015 and been leader of the council since 2023.

The new leader of Mid Devon District Council, Liberal Democrat councillor David Wulff, took over from Mr Taylor in May.

Mr Taylor had been working for KDC/One Swallowfield in the United Kingdom alongside his councillor roles. Now, he will work for the beauty product manufacturer in Ohio.

“Residents of Bradninch, you may have heard but I wanted to let you all know that I have stood down from both Mid Devon District Council and Bradninch Town Council,” he said previously on social media.

“I have been fortunate enough to be offered an exciting role in my main job to transfer to Ohio.

“I want to thank you all for the faith and support you have put in me over the last 20 years of public service.

“Bradninch will always be in my heart and I wish our wonderful town all the success.

“There will inevitably be a by-election to replace my position on Mid Devon. I wish my successor all the best and hope they love the town as much as I did.

“Thank you Bradninch, I won’t forget you and will be back in December visiting over Christmas.”