Reform UK have won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just six votes in a blow to Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership.
The narrow victory saw Nigel Farage‘s party taking a constituency which Labour won with a majority of almost 14,700 at the general election less than 12 months ago.
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The by-election in the Cheshire seat was called after the previous MP Mike Amesbury resigned following his conviction for punching a constituent.
Reform candidate Sarah Pochin won with 12,645 votes, compared to the 12,639 secured by Labour candidate Karen Shore, making it the closest by-election result since records began in 1945.
Speaking after the result was declared, Mr Farage told Sky News’ chief political correspondent Jon Craig that Labour’s vote collapsed because of a “loss of confidence” and the fact “no one knows what the prime minister really stands for”.
He also declared the Conservatives as “toast”, saying: “In much of this country if you vote Conservative you will get Labour.
Politics latest: Reform beats Labour by six votes to take Runcorn and Helsby in blow to Keir Starmer
Reform has put the two traditional parties on notice – and we don’t know where this ends
Reform wins Greater Lincolnshire – follow mayoral election results as they come in
“We now are the opposition party in the United Kingdom to the Labour Party and the Tories, frankly, are a waste of space.”
The vote in Runcorn is Sir Keir’s first by-election test as prime minister.
A Labour spokesperson said by-elections are “always difficult for the party in government and the events which led to this one being called made it even harder”.
They said: “While Labour has suffered an extremely narrow defeat, the shock is that the Conservative vote has collapsed.
“Moderate voters are clearly appalled by the talk of a Tory-Reform pact.”
However the Tories, who came in third with 2,341 votes, called the result “a damning verdict on Keir Starmer’s leadership which has led to Labour losing a safe seat”.
A spokesperson said: “Just 10 months ago, Labour won an enormous majority, including in this seat with 52% of the vote, but their policies have been a punch in the face for the people of Runcorn.
“Snatching Winter Fuel Payments from vulnerable pensioners, pushing farmers to the brink with their vindictive Family Farms Tax and hammering families with a £3,500 jobs tax, families are being punished for their disastrous decisions in government.
“Now we know why Keir Starmer never bothered to visit the area.”
Analysis: Reform has put the two traditional parties on notice – and we don’t know where this ends
Chief political correspondent
Why did Reform pull off their victory? Rachel Reeves’ massively unpopular winter fuel payments axe was a major vote loser. Some voters were appalled by the conduct of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who brutally assaulted a constituent.
Ms Pochin, in a fluent victory speech that suggested she’ll be a competent House of Commons performer, declared that the voters of the Runcorn and Helsby constituency had had enough of Tory failures and Labour lies.
Then, in a typically ebullient Sky News interview, Mr Farage said: “Britain is broken.” He also predicted more wins for his party in local government elections later on Friday.
For Labour, there will be a huge inquest into how they came so close to holding the seat and lost by just six votes. Many Labour MPs and party members will condemn Sir Keir Starmer for not bothering to visit the constituency to campaign for their candidate Karen Shore.
Mr Farage visited four times, including a lengthy stint on polling day. Say what you like about Mr Farage, and his opponents certainly do, he’s a tireless campaigner with a stamina that astounds even members of his inner circle.
His relentless tenacity has paid off handsomely. Other party leaders – with the notable exception of Sir Ed Davey – take note. Sir Keir sat on his hands and Kemi Badenoch was invisible too.
And they’ve both paid the price: humiliation.
And so, after declaring the Tories are “toast”, Mr Farage announced he was heading off for a bacon sandwich.
Last week at Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir said Mr Farage would “eat the Tory party for breakfast”.
But in Runcorn and Helsby – and many other parts of the UK – he’s just eaten Labour for breakfast as well.
Reform win first mayoral election
As well as the Runcorn by-election, voters on Thursday took part in contests to elect more than 1,600 councillors across 23 local authorities, along with four regional mayors and two local mayors.
In the first result of the night, Labour held on to the North Tyneside mayoralty by just 444 votes.
It then saw off Reform in the West of England and Doncaster to retain both mayoralties. However, in Doncaster it was also a slim majority, with Labour’s Ros Jones clinging on by 698 votes.
Ms Jones criticised decisions to means-test the winter fuel allowance, hike employers’ national insurance contributions and squeeze welfare.
She told the BBC: “I think the results here tonight will demonstrate that they need to be listening to the man, woman and businesses on the street, and actually deliver for the people, with the people.”
Early on Friday morning, Reform won its first mayoralty in Greater Lincolnshire by a majority of 39,584.
Two other mayoralties up for grabs are Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and Hull and East Yorkshire.
Lead politics presenter Sophy Ridge, political editor Beth Rigby, and data and economics editor Ed Conway will be live on Friday morning to report and explain the results.
