Nigel Farage’s Reform UK captured the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary seat, winning 38.3% of ballots—six more than Labour—after an overnight recount. The seat, Labour’s 49th-safest, had recorded a majority of roughly 15,000 at last year’s general election. The knife-edge Westminster gain coincided with sweeping advances in England’s local elections. By Friday evening Reform had secured more than 600 councillors, up from none, and taken control of seven county councils, including long-standing Labour bastions such as Durham as well as Conservative strongholds such as Kent and Staffordshire. The party also won the new Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty. Sky News’ projected national vote share put Reform on about 32%, leaving Labour and the Conservatives at 19% and 18% respectively after both parties shed hundreds of council seats. The Conservatives lost overall control in multiple shires, while Labour fell to third place across swathes of northern England. The results, the first electoral test for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer since the 2024 general election, underline the peril facing the UK’s two traditional parties ahead of the next nationwide contest due in 2029. Farage said the outcome signalled “the beginning of the end of the Conservative Party” and vowed to press his challenge across Britain.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged Labour's defeat in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election as 'disappointing' but expressed determination to accelerate change. The by-election saw Reform UK's Sarah Pochin win by a narrow margin of six votes, overturning Labour's previous majority of 14,696. Nigel Farage's Reform UK secured 12,645 votes, while Labour's Karen Shore received 12,639 votes. Starmer emphasized that his government was elected to bring about change and has started implementing measures such as reducing NHS waiting lists. He committed to going 'further and faster' in response to the by-election results, indicating a need to deliver change more quickly. The by-election was triggered after former Labour MP Mike Amesbury resigned following his conviction for punching a constituent. The defeat has sparked discussions within Labour about the impact of recent policy decisions, including cuts to welfare and winter fuel payments. Some Labour MPs have criticized these moves, suggesting they have contributed to voter dissatisfaction.

Voters across England began casting their ballots on May 1, 2025, to elect more than 1,600 councillors for 23 local authorities and six mayors, marking the first significant set of polls since the Labour Party's landslide victory in the July 2024 general election. The elections span 14 county councils, eight unitary authorities, and one metropolitan council, with contests for two local authority mayors and four combined authority mayors. A by-election in Runcorn and Helsby is also taking place following the resignation of Labour MP Mike Amesbury. The Conservative Party, holding more than half of the seats across the local authorities, is expected to face significant losses, while the Labour Party faces its first electoral test under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens are anticipated to make gains at the expense of both major parties. Counting of votes continued into May 2, with results still being tallied. Initial outcomes suggest a successful night for Reform UK, which secured a by-election win over Labour in Runcorn and Helsby and elected its first mayor in Greater Lincolnshire. Labour managed to hold onto mayoral positions in the West of England, Doncaster, and North Tyneside, though their vote share has plummeted.

Following Reform UK's victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, Conservative Party co-chairman Nigel Huddleston acknowledged the Conservative Party's defeat and stated that the party would accept the loss with humility. Despite the setback, Huddleston ruled out any cooperation or deals with Reform UK to run local councils. He emphasized that Reform UK's goal is the destruction of the Conservative Party and dismissed suggestions of a merger or alliance between the two parties. Huddleston reiterated that Reform UK is not a Conservative party, underscoring the ideological divide between the two groups.

The Runcorn and Helsby by-election recorded a voter turnout of 46.3%, marking a decrease from the 58.7% turnout in the 2024 general election. A total of 32,740 votes were cast, exceeding some pre-election models that predicted between 23,000 and 29,000 votes. While the turnout is 13 percentage points lower than the previous general election, it remains relatively high for a by-election, comparable to the turnout seen in Uxbridge during the last Parliament. This level of participation suggests a potentially high-stakes election with notable voter enthusiasm and effective get-out-the-vote efforts, although it remains unclear which political side this may have favored.

The Labour Party is actively campaigning for the upcoming by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, scheduled for May 1, 2025. Key candidate Karen Shore is receiving support from various Labour MPs, including Mike Kane and Stephen Morgan, who emphasize her local ties and commitment to addressing community issues. Campaign activities have included door-to-door outreach, with party members engaging with voters to discuss Shore's plans for the area. The Labour Party is urging residents to vote for Shore as a means of effecting real change in the constituency, particularly in light of competition from other parties, including the Reform Party led by Nigel Farage.

Reform UK has announced Sarah Pochin as its candidate for the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election. Pochin, a former magistrate and ex-Conservative councillor in Cheshire East, aims to bring change to the area, which has been under Labour control. The by-election is set to challenge Labour's hold on the seat, which is considered their 16th safest. Pochin's candidacy has stirred controversy due to her past affiliations and actions. She was previously expelled from the Conservative Party and has been criticized for her lenient sentencing as a magistrate, particularly in a case involving a migrant drink driver where she stated, 'It is what it is. Do not be too hard on yourself. Unfortunately, we all get ourselves into problems.' Additionally, Pochin's attendance at events supporting refugees and drag queen story hours has led to her deleting her X account amid scrutiny. The by-election will also see competition from other major parties, including Labour, represented by Karen Shore, the Conservatives with Sean Houlston, the Greens with Chris Copeman, and the Liberal Democrats with Paul Duffy. The outcome of this by-election could have implications for Reform UK's standing in British politics.

Mike Amesbury, the former Labour MP for Runcorn and Helsby, has officially resigned from his position in the House of Commons. His resignation comes after he was handed a 10-week jail sentence for punching a constituent, which was suspended for two years. In an exclusive interview with GB News, Amesbury revealed that he is required to wear an alcohol tag for 120 days as part of his sentencing. He also mentioned undergoing 20 hours of anger management and receiving support from a psychiatrist for the past four months. Amesbury spent four days in prison following the incident. Amesbury expressed his devastation over the incident, apologizing to the victim, his family, staff, and constituents. He admitted to binge drinking on the night of the incident and acknowledged his actions were wrong, stating he should have walked away. He also apologized publicly, noting that he had gone from 'hero to zero' for his son. As a result of his sentence, Amesbury is selling his home and faces uncertainty about his next job, feeling he is losing his livelihood. He has spoken out on the issue of 'male violence' to educate others about the consequences of such actions. His resignation has triggered a by-election in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency, where Labour is expected to face a strong challenge from Reform UK.

The Labour Party has announced Karen Shore as its candidate for the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election, following the resignation of former MP Mike Amesbury, who stepped down after being convicted of assault. Shore, a retired teacher and the Deputy Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, was selected to defend the seat. A recent constituency poll indicates that Nigel Farage's Reform Party is leading with 40% support, compared to Labour's 35%, suggesting a competitive race ahead.

Former Labour MP Mike Amesbury has announced his decision to stand down from his parliamentary seat in Runcorn and Helsby, following a conviction for assault. Amesbury received a suspended 10-week prison sentence after admitting to punching a constituent, Paul Fellows, in the street. He expressed regret over the incident, stating that he regrets attacking Mr. Fellows 'every moment, every day'. His resignation will trigger a by-election in the constituency, marking the first such event under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government. In the last general election, Amesbury secured 22,358 votes, representing 52.9% of the electorate, while Reform UK came second with 7,662 votes, or 18.1% of the electorate, and the Conservatives third with 6,756 votes, or 16%. The by-election presents an opportunity for Reform UK. Amesbury's decision to step down comes after he expressed that he would have attempted to remain an MP if he had received a lighter sentence. He has begun the statutory process of winding up his office and plans to resign as soon as possible.

Independent MP Mike Amesbury, representing the Runcorn and Helsby constituency, has been sentenced to 10 weeks in prison for assaulting a constituent. The incident, which involved Amesbury repeatedly punching the individual in a drunken altercation, has triggered a recall petition. If 10% of constituents sign it, a by-election will be held. Amesbury, who had a 14,696 vote majority in the 2024 general election, was suspended by Labour and has been sitting as an independent MP since the incident. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is positioning itself as the leading contender to win the seat in the potential by-election. Bookmakers have placed Reform as the odds-on favorite at 10/11, with Labour trailing at 6/4. Reform has been actively campaigning in the area every weekend and has used digital billboards to call for Amesbury's resignation and urge constituents to sign the recall petition. Labour has condemned Amesbury's actions and confirmed it will field a new candidate if a by-election occurs. The seat, which Labour won by a significant majority in 2024, presents a challenge for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership as the party faces competition from Reform UK.

Labour Party candidates are actively campaigning ahead of local elections scheduled for May 1, 2025. Karen Shore is contesting the Runcorn and Helsby by-election with support from Labour MPs Nia Griffith and Deirdre Costigan. In Dartford, Claire Pearce is seeking election as a Kent Labour councillor, with campaign efforts supported by the Medway and Maidstone Labour team and volunteers including Martin Whelton and Siobhain McDonagh. Meanwhile, in South Cambridgeshire, Anna Taylor is campaigning to become the next mayor, with backing from Labour members. Despite bank holiday weather challenges, including rain in Boston, Reform UK candidates continue their campaign efforts in the area.