Overview

• Alan Cook secured 34% of the vote in the July 24 Bromley Common & Holwood by-election, edging out Conservative Ian Payne’s 29.4%.
• Reform UK achieved a 22.9% swing from the Conservatives in the ward, highlighting its expanding appeal in the capital.
• The by-election was triggered by the May death of incumbent Conservative councillor Jonathan Laidlaw, creating the opening for Reform’s breakthrough.
• This win follows Reform UK’s string of four council by-election victories earlier in July, sustaining the party’s momentum across England.
• Conservative strategists warn that recent defections and this result deepen the threat to Tory dominance ahead of next May’s London local elections.