Michael James Felse

Michael James Felse is a Reform UK politician who won the Barton and Winton ward by-election on Salford City Council on 22 April 2026, defeating Labour's Catherine Goodyer by 676 votes to 643 — a margin of 33. The by-election was triggered by the death of Labour's David Lancaster MBE, who was believed to be England's longest-serving councillor.

Felse has lived in Salford for around 30 years and describes himself as proudly working-class with a background that includes working in a coal mine after leaving school. He has stood in multiple previous elections, including Salford's 2012 mayoral race, as well as contests in Doncaster and Dewsbury. He is also known outside politics: he was selected as Pride Queen for the 2011 Manchester Pride festival under his drag persona Ethol Mary.

The Barton and Winton result gave Reform UK its first ever seat on Salford City Council and was cited as direct evidence that the party's polling strength in Labour's Greater Manchester heartlands translates into real votes ahead of the 7 May 2026 national cycle. A single ward by-election carries limited predictive weight, but it represents Reform's furthest penetration yet into metropolitan Labour territory.