Reform UK’s Historic Wins Shake Up British Politics
A Record-Breaking By-Election in Runcorn and Helsby
In an unprecedented turn of events, Reform UK has secured a stunning victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, with Sarah Pochin overturning Labour’s substantial majority to become the party’s fifth MP. The race, decided by a mere six votes after a dramatic recount, marks the closest parliamentary by-election in UK history, surpassing the previous record set by the Liberals in the 1973 Berwick-upon-Tweed by-election (57 votes). This historic win underscores Reform’s growing influence and signals a significant shift in the political landscape.From the 2024 general election to this by-election in 2025, Labour’s vote share in Runcorn and Helsby plummeted from 53% to 38.70%, while Reform’s surged from 18% to 38.72%. The razor-thin margin has left Labour reeling and highlighted Reform’s ability to challenge established parties in their strongholds.
Reform’s First Mayoral Triumph in Greater Lincolnshire
Adding to its night of firsts, Reform UK celebrated its inaugural mayoral victory in Greater Lincolnshire, where Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a former Conservative MP and Miss UK finalist, triumphed by over 40,000 votes. Jenkyns, now controlling an annual budget of £24m and wielding powers over skills, transport, and economic development, hailed the win as a “new dawn in British politics.” In her victory speech, she vowed to “reset Britain to its glorious past,” marking a personal and political comeback after losing her parliamentary seat in the 2024 general election.Reform’s Local Election Surge
Reform’s momentum extended to local council elections, where the party has so far secured 79 seats across 141 declared wards, outpacing all other parties with a 39% vote share—11 points ahead of the Conservatives. In Staffordshire, Reform won 24 of 30 declared seats, positioning the party just eight seats shy of overall control of the county council. The Conservatives, who held 53 seats before the election, have been reduced to six, with high-profile losses including council leader Alan White.In Lincolnshire, Reform capitalized on Jenkyns’s mayoral success, claiming 23 seats while the Conservatives, starting with 53, were left with just one councillor in three declared districts. Reform’s strong performance in Northumberland also saw the party take 23 seats, mostly from Labour and the Conservatives, leaving Labour with only eight councillors.
Labour’s Struggles and Internal Criticism
Labour’s losses have sparked concern within the party, particularly as the results suggest underperformance compared to the already disappointing 2021 local elections. The party lost ground in Northumberland and failed to capitalize on Conservative weaknesses in Staffordshire. Labour did secure mayoral victories in North Tyneside, the West of England, and Doncaster, but Reform’s strong second-place showings in all three races underscored the growing threat posed by Nigel Farage’s party.Critics within Labour, particularly from the left, are vocal about the party’s direction. Richard Burgon, a former shadow minister, called for the leadership to abandon plans to cut disability benefits and instead raise taxes on the wealthy. Sasha Das Gupta of Momentum urged MPs and councillors to oppose the leadership’s austerity measures, warning that failing to offer “real change” could pave the way for Reform’s further gains. Key issues raised on the doorstep—winter fuel cuts, potential disability payment reductions, and immigration—have fueled voter dissatisfaction.
Conservative Woes Continue
The Conservatives are also grappling with significant losses, defending only 37 of 99 seats in the local elections and facing a projected decline of 26 points compared to 2021. These results echo the party’s defeat in the 2024 general election, confirming Reform’s emergence as a formidable challenger to both major parties.Farage’s Vision and Reform’s Future
Nigel Farage, celebrating Reform’s successes, declared on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that his party has “supplanted the Conservative Party as the main opposition.” He emphasized Reform’s ability to “bite hard” into Labour’s heartland, citing the Runcorn victory as a “spectacular” result. Farage’s party now faces increased scrutiny as it transitions from an insurgent force to one with governing responsibilities, particularly in areas like Greater Lincolnshire and potentially Staffordshire.What’s Next?
With more results expected throughout the day, including two mayoral contests in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and Hull & East Yorkshire, and additional council elections, Reform’s trajectory appears upward. The Liberal Democrats are also anticipated to make gains in some regions, adding further complexity to the evolving political picture.For Labour and the Conservatives, these results are a wake-up call. As Reform UK continues its march, both major parties must reassess their strategies to counter the rising tide of voter discontent and the appeal of Farage’s populist platform. The political conversation in the coming months will undoubtedly be shaped by these historic victories and the challenges they pose to the status quo.
