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Reform surge threatens Tories and Labour
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stands with Sarah Pochin after announcing her as Reform UK's candidate for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, at the Runcorn Shopping City in Runcorn, Cheshire, March 24, 2025
WESTMINSTER is braced for a political earthquake as hard-right Reform UK looks set to make major gains in Thursday's local elections and a parliamentary by-election.
Last-minute polling shows Nigel Farage’s party on course to overturn a Labour majority of more than 15,000 in Runcorn and Helsby, which is choosing a new MP after the last one resigned following a public brawl with a constituent.
It is also tipped to win two of four metro mayoralties being contested this week — in Hull and East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where former Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns is standing for Reform.
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