Helen Torrance has been selected as the Labour Party candidate for the Widcombe & Lyncombe by-election.

She has lived in Bath for more than 15 years, raising her family here. Helen is a recently retired headteacher and special needs teacher.

Speaking following her selection, Helen said: “I want to put my experience to work for our community. As your councillor, I will hear and act on your concerns. Too often, residents’ voices are ignored. I’ll always listen to your views and fight for practical solutions”. She named her top priorities as protect Bath’s precious green spaces (such as Alexandra Park and Lyncombe Hill Fields), fighting to improve local services, and holding developers to account when they build in our city.

Labour is looking to build on its success in the most recent vote held in Bath, when the Party won the West of England Mayor election with the help of thousands of votes from the city.

Helen said: “It’s been brilliant to see the Labour opposition on B&NES Council driving successful campaigns on automatic enrolment of children for free school meals, better public toilet facilities, and a get-home-safe scheme for night-shift workers. I want to be another Labour voice, pushing the Council to do better and working effectively with the Labour West of England Mayor, Police & Crime Commissioner, and even Ministers to get the best deal for our area”.

Polling day is Thursday 9 October 2025.