High Stakes: Reform Candidate's Legal Battle Over Election Results Ends in Dispute
In a high-profile legal challenge, Elizabeth Williams, a Reform candidate from Worcestershire, has lost her case against the results of this year’s county council elections, which ended in a rare dead heat. Williams tied with Green candidate Hannah Robson at 899 votes each, with the final decision made by a random draw from a ballot box.
Williams alleged that the electoral process was fraudulent and violated electoral law, claiming she didn’t have adequate time during the count on May 1 to seek independent legal advice and was unable to observe the entire counting process. She also raised concerns about people allegedly breaching electoral law by filming the counting and suggested that Green Party activists improperly campaigned outside polling stations on election day, accusations that the party vehemently denied.
However, the High Court dismissed her petition on procedural grounds, citing that Williams failed to file her claim within the 22-day window mandated for such allegations, missing the deadline by 24 hours. Following the ruling, Williams faces a significant £19,000 legal bill, which she has described as ”ruinous”. Despite this setback, she expressed a desire to continue advocating for voter rights and is even considering escalating the matter to the European Court of Human Rights, insisting that she believes in doing what is right.
Wychavon District Council, which oversaw the count, maintained that the claim was unfounded and well-prepared for the legal challenge. Their spokesperson emphasized that the outcome was legitimate and aimed to protect taxpayers from unnecessary financial burdens. Councillor Robson, the victor in this election, expressed relief at the conclusion of the matter and is eager to continue her work for the community, focusing on important local issues. The election results have left Worcestershire County Council in a state of no overall control, with the Reform party now claiming the position of the largest party.