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Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has secured victory by six votes over Labour in Runcorn & Helsby as Keir Starmer failed his first by-election test as UK prime minister.
The narrow victory for new MP Sarah Pochin saw Reform taking a constituency which Labour won with a majority of almost 14,700 less than 12 months ago.
The result came as Reform made gains against both Labour and the Conservatives across England in local contests, with Farage claiming a ‘big moment’ was taking place in politics.
The by-election was triggered when former Labour MP Mike Amesbury quit after admitting punching a constituent.
Amesbury won 53% of the vote at the general election and the defeat, along with Reform gains in other Labour heartlands, will cause unease in Downing Street.
Farage said: ‘For the movement, for the party, it’s a very, very big moment indeed, absolutely, no question, and it’s happening right across England.’
By David Hughes and Eleanor Barlow
Press Association: News
source: PA
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