A new Labour MP who stepped down from his council post to focus on his role in Westminster has seen his party narrowly lose the seat in a by-election.

Ashford's Sojan Joseph announced last month he would be giving up his role as councillor for the Aylesford and East Stour ward.

The 49-year-old, who ousted Damian Green as the area's MP in July, had held the Ashford Borough Council (ABC) seat since May 2023.

However, in a letter to residents last month he said he would be standing down to concentrate on serving Ashford in Westminster.

A by-election was subsequently called with 21% of residents heading to the polls yesterday (October 17).

The result has now seen Green Party candidate, Thom Pizzey, win the seat from Labour.

Cllr Pizzey triumphed with 299 votes, followed by Labour's Reena Mathew who missed out on victory by just six less.

The Reform Party's candidate, Brian Collins, came third with 216 votes followed by Tory hopeful, Jac Wood, who scooped 111.

Liberal Democrats' contender, Alexander Coxall, finished fifth and last with 26 votes.

Following his victory, Cllr Pizzey said: "Our success was based on focusing on the day-to-day needs of the community.

"[Plus] on showing the value of having active and visible local councillors, as well as sending a clear message to Keir Starmer’s Labour that cutting the services and benefits vulnerable people rely on, such as the winter fuel allowance is cruel, unacceptable and must stop.”

Speaking to KentOnline in August, Mr Joseph said he had planned to remain at ABC while representing the area in Westminster.

"If I do that now (resign), it will force a by-election which will cost £30-35,000 of public money so I will carry on to align with the Kent County Council (KCC) elections in May,” he said.

"But if I cannot serve the public as I should be, then I will probably do it before then.”

The by-election result means two Green Party councillors will now represent the Aylesford and East Stour ward in the form of Cllr Pizzey and Cllr Al Arnold.

It has also resulted in the Greens now having nine seats on ABC, with Labour down one to 10.

The Tories remain the biggest party with 17 seats, with the Ashford Independents joint-second on 10.

The Independents have the one remaining position.