Reform UK achieved two election victories, winning a parliamentary byelection and their first mayoral contest, signaling gains in English local politics. The results show a challenge to the established Labour and Conservative parties.
In the Runcorn and Helsby byelection, Reform UK candidate Sarah Pochin defeated Labour by just six votes after a recount. The seat in northwest England was previously held by Labour with a notable majority in the last general election.
This parliamentary victory for Reform UK follows the party's unsuccessful attempts to win byelections in the past. The narrow margin highlights the shifting dynamics in areas that traditionally supported Labour.
Reform UK also secured their first mayoralty in the newly created Greater Lincolnshire region. Former Conservative Member of Parliament Andrea Jenkyns won the position, outpolling the Conservative candidate by a margin of over 15 percentage points.
The party is also making headway in council elections across England. Early results show gains in Northumberland and progress toward potentially controlling Lincolnshire County Council.
These results come during local elections determining more than 1,600 seats on local councils, alongside mayoral races and the Runcorn byelection. Both Labour and the Conservatives anticipated losing seats in these polls.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage viewed the Runcorn result as a moment for British politics, suggesting the party is positioning itself as a primary alternative to Labour. Farage has stated the party aims to replace the Conservatives on the right side of the political spectrum before the next national election.
Andrea Jenkyns, the new mayor for Greater Lincolnshire, spoke after her win, stating that Reform UK is now "in a place of power" and would begin changing Britain. She added the party intends to put "British people first" and end "soft-touch Britain," suggesting policy changes for migrants.
Labour called the defeat in Runcorn narrow but stated it showed the government must proceed with its Plan for Change. Conservatives noted the collapse in the Labour vote in Runcorn, calling it a verdict on Labour leader Keir Starmer. The Liberal Democrats are also projecting gains in council seats.
Professor John Curtice stated Reform UK is showing a lead over the Conservatives in early council results, suggesting the first-past-the-post electoral system may now work in their favor.
The Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election full results showed Jenkyns winning with 42.03% of the vote.
Andrea Jenkyns stated, “Inch by inch, Reform will reset Britain to its glorious past.”