Far-right Reform UK party achieves success in UK local elections

Nigel Farage's smug grin was as wide as ever on May 2nd, even though the votes for the local elections held on the previous day were still being tallied in England. As the leader of Reform UK, Farage had reason to celebrate—his far-right, anti-migrant, and anti-carbon neutrality party had clinched a narrow victory in Runcorn and Helsby, northwest England, with candidate Sarah Pochin beating her Labour rival by a mere six votes.

Labour had held the seat comfortably in the July 2024 general election, winning by a significant 14,000 vote margin. But the seat was up for grabs following the resignation of Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who spent weeks in prison after an altercation with a constituent.

"Everywhere in the country, we're seeing upsets in our favor, against Labour in the north or Conservatives in the Midlands or the south," Farage exclaimed at the vote count stadium near Runcorn. "This is a huge moment for the party—it proves we are now the real opposition to Labour," he added, a man often dubbed "Mr. Brexit" for his role in the EU exit campaign two decades ago.

Indeed, Reform UK's popularity has surged recently. After a strong performance in the last national election, where they garnered around 14% of the vote, national polls currently show Reform UK either equaling or surpassing Labour, with a significant lead over the Conservatives. The party's victory in Runcorn and Helsby further solidifies this position.

This by-election win, triggered by the conviction of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury for assault, raises concerns about a potential rise in support for hard-right parties like Reform UK, as traditional main parties face potential losses in upcoming local elections. The victory marks a significant shift in the political landscape, with Reform UK's influence growing.

While Farage claimed the win demonstrates Reform UK's status as a main opposition party in the UK, Conservatives were quick to dismiss this claim. Nevertheless, the political landscape is undeniably changing, with Hard-right parties like Reform UK on the rise while the traditional main parties face potential losses. It's an intriguing time in British politics, and only time will tell how this trend will continue.

The victory of Reform UK in Runcorn and Helsby constituency, following the resignation of Labour MP Mike Amesbury, has raised concerns about a potential rise in support for hard-right parties in general-news and crime-and-justice contexts.
In 2024, Labour had previously held the Runcorn and Helsby seat comfortably, but the by-election win by Reform UK's candidate Sarah Pochin marked a significant shift in British politics, particularly in the realm of war-and-conflicts and politics.
Farage, the leader of Reform UK, celebrated the party's narrow victory in Runcorn and Helsby, imagining 2024 as a year when they would be a significant opposition to Labour in the north of England.
The influence of Reform UK, a far-right, anti-migrant, and anti-carbon neutrality party led by Nigel Farage, has been solidified after their win in Runcorn and Helsby, possibly signaling potential losses for the traditional main parties in future local elections.
As the votes for the local elections in 2024 were still being tallied, the victory in Runcorn and Helsby could be a sign of more upsets favoring Reform UK, especially against Labour in the north or Conservatives in the Midlands or the south, transforming the British political landscape substantially.