Victory in Runcorn and Helsby proves that Reform didn’t just get lucky in the 2024 election: it can win more seats, it could form the next government or opposition. Many prayed the constituency was immune to Farage because the old majority was so large and it’s so close to Labour-loving Liverpool – but the narrow steal indicates that, within England at least, there’s no no-go area for Reform.
Anecdotally, it seems Labour was hurt by slashing winter fuel and Pips. The problem isn’t just the cuts themselves but the perception of lying – that Labour won its majority on the promise to be different, only to reimpose austerity.
England local election results 2025
