Conservative, Labour, Reform UK, Restore Britain and Lib Dem candidates stand in Portchester Wicor on 19 November. Register to vote by midnight on 3 November.
Five candidates will stand in the Portchester Wicor by-election on Thursday 19 November. Fareham Borough Council’s returning officer published the Statement of Persons Nominated on Friday 23 October, when nominations closed.
The by-election fills the seat left by Councillor Rob Turner, a Liberal Democrat. He resigned with effect from 1 October, the council announced. Two electors then asked for a poll, as the law allows. The council did not give a reason for the resignation.
The candidates
In the order on the ballot paper, with the descriptions they gave:
| Candidate | Description |
|---|---|
| Harry Patrick Davis | The Conservative Party Candidate |
| Lorraine Drinkwater | Labour Party |
| Paul Kimber | Reform UK |
| George William Ponsford | Restore Britain |
| Steve Shaw | Liberal Democrat |
The statement records Mr Ponsford’s home address as being in Winchester. Mr Davis gives an address in Portchester, and the other three are recorded as living in Fareham borough. No Green Party candidate is standing this time.
A seat won by 70 votes in May
Mr Turner had held the seat for less than five months. At the borough elections on 7 May 2026 he won Portchester Wicor with 858 votes, according to the council’s published results. That was 70 more than Reform UK and 93 more than the Conservatives.
The full May result was:
- Rob Turner, Liberal Democrats: 858 (33%), elected
- Steven Andrew Richards, Reform UK: 788 (30%)
- Paul William Whittle, Conservative: 765 (30%)
- David Barton Harrison, Green Party: 178 (7%)
Turnout was 49%, with 2,606 ballot papers issued to an electorate of 5,284. None of the four May candidates is on this month’s ballot.
Key dates
The Notice of Election sets these deadlines:
| What | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Register to vote | Midnight, Tuesday 3 November |
| Apply for, change or cancel a postal vote | 5pm, Wednesday 4 November |
| Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (free photo ID) | 5pm, Wednesday 11 November |
| Apply for a proxy vote | 5pm, Wednesday 11 November |
| Polling day | Thursday 19 November |
The votes will be counted overnight after polls close, the council says, so the result should be known in the early hours of Friday 20 November.
What it means for you
If you live in Portchester Wicor, you have one vote for one councillor. Check you are registered before 3 November at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes about five minutes.
You need photo ID to vote in person. A passport or driving licence works, including an expired one if the photo still looks like you. If you have none, apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on 11 November.
Your poll card will tell you where to vote. The council has not yet published the notice of polling stations; we will add it here when it does. Questions go to the elections team on 01329 824588 or elections@fareham.gov.uk.
Other Portchester news: the new 3G pitch at Wicor Recreation Ground.
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