LONDON 

Reform UK has claimed a dramatic and unexpected victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, edging out Labour by just six votes following a tense early morning recount.

Reform candidate Sarah Pochin secured 12,645 votes, narrowly defeating Labour’s 12,639 — overturning a previously safe 14,696 majority held by Labour in the 2024 general election.

The by-election was held following the former Labour MP's conviction for assaulting a constituent, which appeared to harm the party's local standing.

The result marks a symbolic win for Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, whose populist far-right party has sought to capitalize on voter frustration with both Labour and the Conservatives.

Following the results, Farage claimed that the Reform Party is the new "opposition" to Labour, while Labour officials downplayed the outcome, citing the traditional volatility of by-elections and the party's current position as the government.

Meanwhile, results from local elections across England have begun to emerge, painting a mixed picture for all major parties.

Labour won mayoral elections in key areas such as North Tyneside, Doncaster, and the West of England, though the Reform Party finished second in each of those contests, indicating growing support in certain segments of the electorate.

In Greater Lincolnshire, the Reform scored another notable result.

Former Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns, now aligned with the Reform Party, won the inaugural mayoral contest for the newly established combined authority.

She received 104,133 votes, defeating the Conservative candidate, who garnered 64,585, with Labour finishing in third place.

In her victory speech, Jenkyns criticized her opponents’ campaign strategies and took aim at Labour’s immigration policies, echoing Reform’s broader rhetoric on asylum and border control.

The complete council results are not expected until later this afternoon, as counting has not yet commenced in several wards.