Overview

• Sarah Pochin of Reform UK won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just six votes, overturning Labour's 14,000-vote majority from 2024.
• The by-election was triggered by Labour MP Mike Amesbury’s resignation following an assault conviction.
• Reform UK now holds five seats in the House of Commons and has overtaken Labour and the Conservatives in national opinion polls.
• The by-election coincided with local elections in England, where Reform UK made significant gains while Labour and the Conservatives suffered losses.
• Nigel Farage claims Reform UK has replaced the Conservatives as the main opposition, with expert John Curtice calling Labour’s loss a 'severe defeat.'