Reform UK Secures Historic Gains

LONDON, United Kingdom - 2 May 2025, 08:00 BST

Reform UK has achieved significant breakthroughs in the 2025 local elections, marking a pivotal moment in British politics. The party secured a narrow victory in the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary by-election and won its first mayoralty in Greater Lincolnshire.

In a dramatic contest, Reform UK's Sarah Pochin won the Runcorn and Helsby seat by a mere six votes, overturning a substantial Labour majority from the previous general election. The final tally stood at 12,645 votes for Pochin against Labour candidate Karen Shore's 12,639, representing a 17.4% swing from Labour . This result is notable for being the closest by-election outcome since records began in 1945.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who stepped down following a criminal conviction. Pochin, a former Conservative councillor and magistrate, praised Reform UK leader Nigel Farage as a "great leader" in her victory speech.

Reform UK's Andrea Jenkyns, a former Conservative MP, won the inaugural mayoral election in Greater Lincolnshire with 42% of the vote, defeating Conservative candidate Rob Waltham, who secured 64,585 votes. Jenkyns' victory marks the party's first success in a mayoral race and underscores its growing influence beyond parliamentary contests.

Reform UK has also made significant gains in council seats across England. The party gained 23 seats in Northumberland County Council and leads in areas traditionally dominated by Conservatives.  In Staffordshire, Reform UK secured multiple seats, including five in Tamworth and eight in Newcastle-under-Lyme, overtaking both Labour and the Conservatives. 

These victories are part of a broader surge for Reform UK in the local elections. Political analysts suggest that these results indicate a fragmentation of the traditional two-party system and reflect growing public dissatisfaction with the established political order.

As more results are expected throughout the day, Reform UK's performance is being closely watched as a the old guard of Labour and Conservative dominance appears to be well and truly over.

Image: House of Commons/Flickr

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