LABOUR MPs, trade unions and campaigners called on the government to urgently change course today after Reform UK overturned the party’s majority of 15,000 to win the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by six votes for its candidate, former Conservative councillor Sarah Pochin. 

Thursday’s local elections saw the far-right party also take their first mayoralty in Greater Lincolnshire for ex-Tory MP and minister Andrea Jenkyns, and come close seconds to Labour in three other mayoral races, as well as taking hundreds of council seats from the Tories and winning control of many councils.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer responded to the losses by saying ”I get it,” and pledged to go ”further and faster” in changing Britain.

But veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott said: ”Labour leadership is saying the party will go further and faster — in the same direction. 

”They don’t seem to understand: it is our current direction that is the problem.”

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell MP said: ”The message to ministers is: drop plans to attack disabled people.”

And Labour MP for Leeds East Richard Burgon said that Labour’s defeat in Runcorn was ”entirely avoidable” and a ”direct result of the party leadership’s political choices.”

Many MPs agreed. Grangemouth’s Brian Leishman said: ”Runcorn shows Labour must change course. People voted for real change last July and an end to austerity.”

His Labour colleague Jon Trickett blamed the by-election result on cutting the winter fuel payment, warning that Labour will suffer further damage if it doesn’t reverse plans to cut disability benefits.

Independent MPs Zarah Sultana and Apsana Begum, both suspended from the party, also blamed the cuts to welfare, fuel allowance and pandering to anti-migrant rhetoric.

Stand up to Racism co-convener Sabby Dhalu said: ”All progressive forces in Britain must wake up to the threat of the far right.

”Stopping Reform UK also means Labour must switch course by reversing the cuts — not sing from Reform UK’s hymn sheet on immigration and asylum.” 

Communist Party general secretary Rob Griffiths blasted Sir Keir’s ”shoddy Farage tribute act” for opening the door to Reform UK. 

Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “Election results around the country reflect that Labour has more to do to demonstrate that it’s on the side of working-class people.

”That means abandoning cuts to disability benefits and public services, and giving workers a real-terms pay rise this year.”

Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis said that it is ”vital that Labour puts out a strong and positive message about the changes that it is making and wants to make, so that people can see the difference a Labour government brings.”

Keep Our NHS Public co-chair Dr John Puntis said that Labour’s attacks on Reform’s NHS plans held little sway due to fears that ministers are not rebuilding the NHS as promised. 

And Middlesbrough and Thornaby East MP Andy McDonald said: “These results have to be a wake-up call.

“Yes, it’s a protest against the two larger parties and it’s disillusionment as well — but it’s even more significant and Labour needs to hear the message loud and clear.

“Too many people and too many sections of our society are saying they feel betrayed by Labour in government.”

People’s Assembly national secretary Ben Sellers called on the Labour movement to demonstrate against ”Labour’s Austerity 2.0” on June 7 in London.