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4mo ago

Reform UK Reshapes British Politics with Landmark Local Election Wins

Nigel Farage's party secures a by-election upset, two mayoralties, and control of seven councils, challenging the dominance of Labour and Conservatives.

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Reform UK Party Leader Nigel Farage talks to the media after Sarah Pochin won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election at DCBL Halton Stadium, Widnes, Cheshire, on May 2.
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Overview

  • Reform UK overturned a safe Labour seat in Runcorn and Helsby by just six votes, marking the smallest by-election majority since WWII.
  • The party won its first directly elected mayoralties in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire, with Andrea Jenkyns becoming Reform's most prominent elected official.
  • Reform gained control of seven councils, including Durham, Kent, and Staffordshire, and outpaced all other parties in council seat wins.
  • A BBC projection suggests Reform leads nationally with 30% support, ahead of Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Conservatives, signaling a major political realignment.
  • Labour and Conservative leaders, Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch, acknowledged significant losses and pledged to accelerate reforms and rebuild voter trust.