A Former Conservative Councillor, Sarah Pochin wins Runcorn and Helsby for Reform UK by just 6 votes after a dramatic recount.
Reform UK has also now got the only Major who isn't representing Labour or Conservative. Taking Greater Lincolnshire, another former Conservative, Dame Jenkyns secured 8 out of 9 areas to become the county's 1st Elected Mayor.
After other gains across England, Reform UK's results have heightened the Government's fears it could lose scores of MPs to Nigel Farage's party at the next General Election. So much so that Sir Keir Starmer has now vows to go:- "Further and faster on the change that people want to see" after Labour lost the Runcorn and Helmsby.
The Liberal Democrats are also making fantastic gains despite Reform UK hitting the headlines. Their rise is also sending shock waves throughout the political landscape. And, the next General Election could see a major shift, with the 2 becoming the main political parties.
Is this rise of both Reform UK and Liberal Democrats just a protest move against the 2 main parties in the UK or something more?
Interestingly, many political pundits now see Nigel Farage's party a major challenge to traditional UK politics. The rise of Reform UK is not just being seen as a warning to both Conservative and Labour, but also a litmus test for the changing mood of the Country. As more and more people feel the Government is disconnected with the electorate, should the rise of Donald Trump in America serve as a caution to the UK?
| Runcorn and Helsby By-Election results are as follows:- | ||
| Candidate | Party | Votes |
| Catherine Blaiklock | English Democrats | 95 |
| Dan Clarke | The Liberal Party | 454 |
| Chris Copeman | Green Party | 2314 |
| Paul Michael Duffy | Liberal Democrats | 942 |
| Peter Ford | Workers Party of Britain | 164 |
| Howling Laud Hope | The Official Monster Raving Loony Party | 128 |
| Sean Houlston | Conservative and Unionist Party | 2341 |
| Jason Philip Hughes | Volt United Kingdom | 54 |
| Alan McKie | Independent | 269 |
| Graham Harry Moore | English Constitution Party | 50 |
| Paul Andrew Murphy | Social Democratic Party | 68 |
| Sarah Joanne Pochin | Reform UK | 12645 |
| Karen Louise Shore | Labour Party | 12639 |
| John Stevens | Rejoin EU | 129 |
| Michael Williams | Independent | 363 |
| Turnout = | 46.33% | |
| The number of ballot papers rejected was as follows:- | Number of ballot papers |
| A Want of an official mark. | 0 |
| B Voting for more Candidates than voter was entitled to. | 25 |
| C Writing or mark by which voter could be identified. | 1 |
| D Being unmarked or wholly void due to uncertainty. | 59 |
| 85 |
Totals:-
- Electorate =: 70,666.
- Ballot Papers Issued = 32,740.
- Turnout = 46.33%.