Nigel Farage has claimed Reform UK’s tight victory in Runcorn means the party is now the main opposition to Labour.
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The result in Runcorn and Helsby, which came on a night when Reform was expected to gain hundreds of council seats across England, followed a 17% swing from Labour. After a recount that delayed the declaration by three hours, Reform won 38.6% of the vote – amounting to 12,645 votes, six more than Labour, one of the smallest margins of victory in recent UK political history. The Conservatives slumped from 16% of the vote at last year’s general election to 7%, finishing narrowly ahead of the Green party in third place. Farage said the result sent a clear message that ‘we are now the opposition’ and that if voters back the Tories then they would ‘just get a Labour government’
English local elections: Tories reject claim Reform UK main opposition after ultra-slim byelection win – UK politics live ► https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/may/02/local-elections-polls-labour-tories-reform-council-mayor-uk-politics-live-news
Reform wins Runcorn byelection by just six votes in blow to Labour ► https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/02/reform-runcorn-and-helsby-byelection-local-elections
Is Nigel Farage’s quest to rid Reform of ‘amateurism’ paying off? ► https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/02/nigel-farage-quest-rid-reform-amateurism-paying-off
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