A former mayor will go head-to-head with a previous Wiltshire Council election candidate in the upcoming Melksham South town council by-election.
The election follows the resignation of Jon Hubbard in July, who had served on the council for 17 years. The vote is scheduled to take place on Thursday 9th October.
Tom Price, representing the Local Conservatives, served as the council’s mayor last year and was a town councillor for four years before choosing not to stand for re-election.
Challenging him is Jon Leach of Reform UK, who unsuccessfully stood for election to Wiltshire Council in May.
Both parties are regarded as right of centre, meaning residents will not have a choice of candidates from other parts of the political spectrum in this election. This is the first time in Melksham that these two parties have directly gone head-to-head without other parties standing.
Tom Price said, “I’ve lived in Melksham my whole life and am proud to call it my home. Until May 2024, I had the honour of being the Mayor of Melksham. Since leaving the council, I’ve become concerned about a loss of accountability. If elected, I will use my experience to make sure the council is open, accountable and serves the needs of local residents. I will also ensure it provides value for money while actively supporting community projects.”
Jon Leach said, “I’m standing for town council because I believe in building a stronger, more connected community. As a resident, I’ve seen both our town’s strengths and the challenges we face. I want to represent your voice and work for practical solutions – supporting local businesses, improving infrastructure, and ensuring transparency. This isn’t about politics – it’s about progress. Together, we can shape a future that reflects the needs and values of everyone who calls this town home.”
In the May elections, most councillors were elected to the town council unopposed as not enough people stood for the available seats. An election took place only in one ward, the North Ward, where two councillors were chosen.
Pictured: Tom Price and Jon Leach
