Reform have overturned a 14,700 Labour majority in Runcorn & Helsby. After a full recount…
New MP Sarah Pochin says “we have made history here tonight. Together, let’s make a better future.” Win for Reform in the first by-election of the parliament…
Labour says: “By-elections are always difficult for the party in government and the events which led to this one being called made it even harder. Voters are still rightly furious with the state of the country after 14 years of failure and clearly expect the Government to move faster with the Plan for Change. 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.” One of the safest Labour seats in the country there…
The Tories say: “This result is a damning verdict on Keir Starmer’s leadership which has led to Labour losing a safe seat. 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 £3500 jobs tax, families are being punished for their disastrous decisions in government. Now we know why Keir Starmer never bothered to visit the area.” Tories got about 2,000 votes…
Farage says “the whole question of fairness” decided the campaign – paying “loads of tax” while men who have crossed the channel are housed at taxpayer expense. A Reform source says: “We said we were parking our tanks on Labour’s lawn and now we have taken one of their safest seats. Nearly every Labour seat is now in play.” Some shudders in Labour HQ…
More results from the locals coming in throughout the day…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”