Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has struggled to make a mark at local council level, winning only 7 seats out of 184 by-elections since the general election in July. Despite being in the spotlight for its national media presence, the party appears to be falling short on the electoral front.
Another Week, Another Miss
Five principal authority council by-elections took place this week, but Reform UK failed to secure a single victory.
- Liberal Democrats celebrated a big result in Liverpool’s Much Woolton and Hunts Cross, beating Labour for the first time there since 1997.
- In Edinburgh, a double vacancy saw the Conservatives gain a seat, while the SNP took Bannockburn in Stirling.
- Labour held on in Newcastle-under-Lyme, staving off a growing Reform UK which fielded a candidate for the first time.
A Dismal Year at Local Level
These results continue a difficult run for Nigel Farage’s party in local by-elections. With May’s local elections looming, Reform UK will be eager to improve its track record. Farage hopes the party’s national media attention can eventually translate into more votes on the ground.
Eyeing May’s Elections
Reform UK is gearing up to contest several races in upcoming local elections, including:
- Mayoralty of Lincolnshire, with ex-Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns standing as a candidate.
- Key battlegrounds across the South-East and East Midlands, focusing on Essex, Kent, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire.
Whether this new push will turn around Reform UK’s modest performance at local polls remains to be seen. But for now, the party’s track record outside Westminster remains decidedly lacklustre.
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