Becky Morton, a known political reporter, has been tasked to deliver news to the public. In the recent Runcorn and Helsby by-election, the Reform party emerged victorious by a razor-thin margin of just six votes, unseating Labour after a dramatic recount. This event marked Sir Keir Starmer’s first significant test as the current Prime Minister, as Sarah Pochin, a former Conservative councillor, managed to overturn a massive 14,696-vote majority to claim the Cheshire seat for Reform. The by-election was necessitated by the resignation of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who stepped down following a conviction for assaulting a constituent.
Reform not only secured its first-ever parliamentary by-election win but also clinched its inaugural mayoralty in Greater Lincolnshire. However, Labour managed to retain control in three other mayoral races despite Reform’s gains. This success brings the total number of MPs under the Reform UK banner, formerly the Brexit Party, to five. Labour called for a recount after early indications showed Nigel Farage’s party leading by a slim four-vote margin. Eventually, Reform emerged victorious by just the smallest of margins, surpassing the previous record for the closest post-war by-election, which saw a win by a mere 57 votes in Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1973.
During the tally, Farage made a notable appearance at the count, confidently asserting that the results indicated their party had become the main opposition to the current Labour government. In a statement, Farage emphasized the strength of Reform UK’s position and urged voters to align with their ideology for real change. Sarah Pochin, in her acceptance speech as Reform’s first female MP, highlighted the community’s call for a shift away from Tory failures and what she labeled as Labour’s deceitful tactics. The Labour camp acknowledged the challenges faced in by-elections and recognized the growing frustration among voters after years of Conservative governance.
In Greater Lincolnshire, captured by the media, former Conservative MP and Reform party member Andrea Jenkyns secured the coveted mayoral position, marking the region’s first-of-its-kind win under the party banner. The victory saw Jenkyns triumph with a substantial majority of nearly 40,000 votes over the Conservative candidate. Across other mayoralties, Labour managed to retain control in North Tyneside and Doncaster, albeit by narrow margins. In the West of England, Labour secured a victory with a 5,949-vote margin, pushing the Tories to fourth place behind Reform and the Greens. The Reform party’s Deputy Leader, Richard Tice, expressed confidence in the party’s growth potential, eyeing further gains in upcoming council elections
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