Nigel Farage’s hopes of Reform contending as a potential party of government at the next election have received a massive boost as his candidate won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just six votes.
The party overturned Labour’s previous majority of almost 15,000 votes, taking hold of an area which has been held by the party for more than 40 years. The extremely close result was declared after more than an hour spent on a knife-edge as a recount was conducted.
The Runcorn and Helsby by-election was the first major test for both Reform and Sir Keir Starmer after last year’s general election, nine months into a Labour government where Mr Farage’s party has been leading in the polls.
It came as hundreds of council seats and four mayoralties were contested around England as well with the Tories facing the biggest losses.
While Labour won the first three mayoral contests – in Doncaster, North Tyneside, West of England – Reform’s Dame Andrea Jenkyns has become the first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, after winning 42 per cent of the vote.
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KEY POINTS
- Reform win Runcorn by just six votes
- Who is new Reform MP Sarah Pochin?
- Reform's Andrea Jenkyns becomes first Greater Lincolnshire mayor
- Labour win first three mayoral contests to declare results
- Key seats to watch in the 2025 local elections
Watch: Reform’s Sarah Pochin claims her Runcorn victory will ‘inspire’ country
07:44
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Andy Gregory
Live Q&A: John Rentoul on Reform’s shock win and what the local elections mean for Britain
07:43
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Lauren MacDougall
The results are rolling in — and Britain’s political map is shifting fast.
Reform UK has stunned Labour in Runcorn and Helsby, overturning a 15,000-vote majority by just six votes to snatch a seat Labour held for over 40 years.
Across England, hundreds of council seats and mayoralties are also up for grabs — testing Keir Starmer’s Labour and a bruised Tory party now out of power nationally.
Join The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul, live at 12pm BST on Friday 2 May, as he answers your questions on:
- Reform’s breakthrough
- The key local contests
- The future for Labour, the Tories — and British politics
Get involved: Post your questions in the comments here. See you at midday.
New Reform MP claims people ‘frightened to leave their homes’ due to immigration
07:36
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Andy Gregory
New Reform MP Sarah Pochin has told the PA news agency that illegal immigration is a “massive issue” for Runcorn.
She said: “People are living next to private landlord accommodation full of illegal immigrants that are causing people’s lives hell.
“That is an issue that we will absolutely be looking at as the priority.”
She claimed constituents were “frightened to go out of their houses”, adding: “It’s a whole area that we will be looking at in detail.”
Labour Party chair acknowledges 'people are impatient' for change
07:32
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Andy Gregory
Labour Party chair Ellie Reeves has insisted that “change takes time” and acknowledged that “people are impatient” after Reform UK won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.
She said Labour need to go “further and faster” in delivering its Plan for Change, telling Times Radio: “Change takes time and we know that people are impatient.
“We had 14 years of chaos under the Conservatives. Public services and the public finances were left in a state.
“We’ve had to stabilise the economy, but we’re starting that work. We’ve got our Plan for Change, we’re beginning to see the results of this, but we know we need to go further and faster.”
Northumberland County Council remains under no overall control
07:29
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Andy Gregory
Northumberland was the first county council to declare all its results, with Conservatives winning 26 seats, Reform 23, Labour eight, Independents seven, Liberal Democrats three and Greens two.
With the Conservatives and Reform now holding 49 of the 69 seats on the council, it raises the question of whether the parties will have to do a deal to run it.
The council was previously led by a minority Conservative administration, with the party down seven and Labour down nine, while Reform previously had no seats on the council.
Reform UK chair insists party will stand up to greater scrutiny
07:25
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Andy Gregory
Reform UK chair Zia Yusuf said “of course” the party would stand up to greater scrutiny as they increase their share of political power across the country.
“We’re not going anywhere and we’re not complacent,” he told the BBC.
“Yes, there’s going to be scrutiny, but we’re excited about the trust that British people have placed in us.”
He said the party had set up a “centre of excellence academy” to ensure elected officials “deliver for their constituents”.
“A lot of our councillors are pretty new to politics. That’s a good thing, frankly, given the track record of councils lately,” he said.
Full results of the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral elections
07:10
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Andy Gregory
Dame Andrea Jenkyns – Reform – 104,133 votes (42.03 per cent)
Rob Waltham – Conservative – 64,585 votes (26.07 per cent)
Jason Stockwood – Labour – 30,384 votes (12.26 per cent)
Marianne Overton – independent – 19,911 votes (8.04 per cent)
Sally Horscroft – Green – 15,040 votes (6.07 per cent)
Trevor Young – Lib Dem – 13,728 votes (5.54 per cent)
Who is Andrea Jenkyns, Reform’s new mayor of Greater Lincolnshire?
07:07
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Andy Gregory
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Dame Andrea Jenkyns was one of the most high profile defectors to Reform UK in the wake of the Conservatives’ devastating defeat in July’s general election.
Nigel Farage unveiled the ex-Tory MP to much fanfare last November, and she has been campaigning for the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty ever since.
Before joining Reform, Ms Jenkyns was a staunch backer of Boris Johnson, who gave her a damehood and her first ministerial role.
As well as being an outspoken Boris backer and Brexiteer, Ms Jenkyns was perhaps best known for clashing with protesters outside Downing Street.
As she attended the former PM’s resignation speech in Downing Street, she was filmed giving demonstrators outside the middle finger.
Reform's Andrea Jenkyns becomes first Greater Lincolnshire mayor
07:02
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Andy Gregory
Dame Andrea Jenkyns has been elected for Reform UK as the first Greater Lincolnshire mayor with a majority of nearly 40,000 over the Conservatives.
Thanking her team and Nigel Farage for their “friendship and support”, the former Tory MP said: “I’ve fought many elections – four general elections, my third local election – but ... I’ve never experienced such negativity and soul-destroying campaigns against me like this one.
“The dirty tricks in US politics, I believe, has now been imported here into Britain.”
But of Reform’s successes tonight, Ms Jenkyns added: “We have a new dawn in British politics. The rebuilding begins here. We’re going to have a Britain where we put British people first, where we put you and your families first, and make sure you are at the front of the queue, and at the heart of our policy decisions.”
She continued: “Today, we as Reform, as we’re making gains up and down the country, you will see an end to soft-touch Britain. The fightback to save the heart and soul of our great country has now begun.”
Watch: Farage speaks following dramatic Runcorn by-election victory
06:53
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Andy Gregory
Greens accuse Starmer of ‘pandering to Farage’ after Runcorn loss
06:51
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Andy Gregory
The Green Party has accused Sir Keir Starmer of pandering to Nigel Farage after Labour lost the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, reports Archie Mitchell.
Co-leader Adrian Ramsay said: “This Labour government and Starmer needs to do nothing short of a complete reset.
“Tonight’s results, not just in Runcorn, show that rather than pandering to Reform, they need to address the genuine concerns of working people by taxing wealth to ensure they can rebuild our health service and provide decent social housing.”
Does Farage’s six-vote margin matter in Runcorn?
06:48
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Andy Gregory
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell writes:
Whether by six thousand votes or just six, Labour has squandered one of its safest seats, and that is bad news for Sir Keir Starmer.
Labour figures, from the door-knocking activists to the prime minister himself, will be kicking themselves from now until the general election wondering what they could have done differently in the race.
But the fine margin must not mask what a disaster it is for Labour losing the seat. Mike Amesbury won Runcorn for the party just nine months ago with a majority of more than 15,000.
And, as the party’s 57th safest seat, it will leave hundreds of Labour MPs looking over their shoulders wondering if they face the same fate when the time comes. Had the opposite occurred, and Labour held on by just six votes, the narrative and feeling would be completely different, but the takeaways for the prime minister would be exactly the same.
If anything, a narrow win may have masked the party’s problems, with the loss serving as a wake up call to the PM’s top team.
Northumberland County Council remains under no overall control
06:44
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Andy Gregory
Northumberland County Council has remained under no overall control, with the majority of results in from the only council to count every ward overnight.
With eight results to go, the Conservatives had 23 seats and Reform 21, with Labour on eight, two Liberal Democrats and one Green, while six independents had been elected.
Watch: Labour wins Doncaster mayoral election
06:42
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Andy Gregory
Doncaster’s Labour mayor Ros Jones – who was re-elected with a majority of 698 after a battle with Reform – hit out at Sir Keir Starmer’s administration.
She criticised decisions to means-test the winter fuel allowance, hike employers' national insurance contributions and squeeze welfare.
She told the BBC: “I think the results here tonight will demonstrate that they need to be listening to the man, woman and businesses on the street, and actually deliver for the people, with the people.”
Top pollster: Reform UK look like the real deal
06:41
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Andy Gregory
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
A top pollster has said Reform UK “look like the real deal” after picking up Runcorn and Helsby from Labour and making major gains elsewhere in the local elections.
“That doesn’t mean that Nigel Farage can start measuring the curtains to No 10, but their increase in support across the country and narrow victory in Runcorn lends credibility to his claim that Reform are now the main opposition to Labour,” said Ipsos director of politics Keiran Pedley.
Labour meanwhile must worry about how to stem the tide of Reform, he warned. He added: “They will desperately want to increase the pace of change – to show those who voted for them because of issues like public services, the cost of living and inequality that they were right to do so.”
And Mr Pedley said Kemi Badenoch’s night has been worse than feared, even after Tory expectation management put the bar through the floor.
Narrow Reform victory sets by-election record
06:38
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Andy Gregory
Sarah Pochin’s victory for Reform in Runcorn and Helsby has set a new record for the smallest majority at a parliamentary by-election since the end of the Second World War.
She won by just six votes, well below the previous record of 57, which was set at the Berwick-upon-Tweed by-election in 1973.
Reform on course to take control of Lincolnshire County Council
06:36
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Andy Gregory
Reform UK appeared well on the way to winning control of Lincolnshire County Council after taking 14 of the first 17 seats to declare – with Labour, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives on one each.
Reform’s poll threat has come good, pollster declares
06:35
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Andy Gregory
As Reform UK surged past the Conservatives and Labour in the polls, senior figures in the two major parties hoped it was merely a blip, reports our political correspondent Archie Mitchell.
But, following the party’s narrow Runcorn and Helsby by-election, as well as its major gains in North Tyneside, the West of England, and Doncaster, a top pollster has said “the increase in support we have seen in opinion polls is real”.
Responding to results so far, Ipsos director of Politics Keiran Pedley said: “It is still very early, and results will be coming in throughout the day. Labour will have been heartened to have narrowly held mayoralties in North Tyneside, the West of England, and Doncaster. In terms of who runs these places, a win is a win as they say. However, this only tells half the story.”
“Although Labour will be relieved to be holding on to these mayoralties, we have seen large swings away from Labour in each of these races. Reform is clearly nipping at their heels. This is most clearly illustrated by Reform’s narrow victory in Runcorn, giving the party an additional voice in parliament. Put simply, the increase in support we have seen in opinion polls is real.”
Who is new Reform MP Sarah Pochin?
06:29
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Andy Gregory
A self-professed “clean candidate”, Sarah Pochin represents Nigel Farage’s attempt to rebrand and sanitise the party, reported Millie Cooke and Harriette Boucher in a profile last month on the new Reform MP.
Seeming to be the antithesis of the outspoken Lee Anderson – dubbed “30p Lee” for claiming low-income families they could cook meals for 30p when he was a Tory MP – or James McMurdock, who was locked up as a teenager for repeatedly kicking his ex-girlfriend, Ms Pochin is warm, likeable and, in what makes a change for Reform’s current MP lineup, female.
On most topics, she is slick and selective with her language, careful not to say anything that could cause controversy. A far cry from many of the candidates Reform put up at the general election.
But when pressed on the issues that are fundamental to Reform UK, there is little separating Ms Pochin from the party’s other MPs. While she was previously pictured at a “Refugees Welcome” event, she is quick to clarify that this courtesy only extends to certain asylum seekers. Those who have crossed the channel, she suggests, are all “illegal economic migrants”. There is no acknowledgment that many of those people have been forced into impossible choices by circumstances beyond their control.
When we’re on this topic, she is less cautious, using dog whistle language to warn that illegal migrants are “flooding our country”. Read the full piece here:
Lib Dems enjoying their night
06:25
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Andy Gregory
Political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
The Liberal Democrats are enjoying their night, with deputy leader Daisy Cooper ushering in a day of result counts with a promise the party is “on course for big gains”.
Highlighting what it sees as success in places like Shropshire, Devon and Oxfordshire, Ms Cooper said the Lib Dems are now the “party of middle England”.
She said: “People have not forgiven the Conservatives for their shameful record but are disappointed that the Labour government has failed to deliver the change they promised.
“As the Conservatives lurch ever to the right, now is not the time for the Labour government to join them in playing to Nigel Farage’s tune. The Liberal Democrats will speak out for all those who want to see better public services, a tougher approach to Donald Trump and a closer relationship with Europe.”
Sarah Pochin: 'The people of Runcorn and Helsby have spoken'
06:20
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Millie Cooke, political correspondent
“The people of Runcorn and Helsby have spoken,” Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin said in her victory speech.
“Enough is enough. Enough Tory failure, enough Labour lies. I want to thank every one of you who were brave enough to put a cross against my name on the ballot paper, every one of you who voted for change,” she said.
Ms Pochin told the audience in the count hall: “I’m in politics to serve. I’m in politics because I care. And I’m in politics to be a voice for those who need representation.
“I will serve you, I will care for you, and I will speak for you. I know our victory here in Runcorn and Helsby will inspire the rest of the country to believe that they too can stand up for fairness, for what is right, and so our British values and their voices can be heard.”
Analysis | Will Starmer regret swerving Runcorn?
06:19
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Andy Gregory
Here is some analysis from our political correspondent, Archie Mitchell:
Sir Keir Starmer’s spin team came under pressure from journalists this week to explain why the prime minister had not visited Runcorn and Helsby. They insisted he cares deeply about the seat and that he has been campaigning hard elsewhere.
But for a sitting PM to snub a seat their party is defending in a by-election is unusual to say the least. If anything, the snub gave the impression Sir Keir did not care about voters in the seat.
Perhaps he is scarred from Labour’s loss in the Hartlepool by-election in 2021 and could not face another similarly devastating defeat.
But, with his candidate losing by just six votes, he may now spend the rest of the parliament kicking himself for not taking a train to the seat every time he sees Reform’s Sarah Pochin in the Commons.
Then again, Sir Keir is a deeply unpopular prime minister, so maybe if he had visited the seat Labour would have lost by far more than six votes.
A ‘big moment’ for Reform, says Farage
06:16
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Andy Gregory
Nigel Farage said it was a “big moment” for Reform UK as he arrived at the Runcorn and Helsby count.
The Reform leader told reporters he was confident of victory, adding: “For the movement, for the party it’s a very, very big moment indeed, absolutely, no question, and it's happening right across England.”
Farage arrives at Halton Stadium in Cheshire as he declares victory in Runcorn
06:14
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Andy Gregory
Tories rub salt in Labour’s Runcorn wounds
06:12
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Andy Gregory
Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
The Conservatives pounced on Labour losing one of its safest seats, describing the Runcorn and Helsby by-election result as a “damning verdict on Keir Starmer’s leadership”.
After Reform UK claimed the seat, a Conservative Party spokesperson said: “Just 10 months ago Labour won an enormous majority, including in this seat with 52 per cent of the vote, but their policies have been a punch in the face for the people of Runcorn.
“Snatching Winter Fuel Payments from vulnerable pensioners, pushing farmers to the brink with their vindictive Family Farms Tax and hammering families with a £3,500 jobs tax, Labour are being punished for their disastrous decisions in government. Now we know why Keir Starmer never bothered to visit the area.”
By-elections 'always difficult' for ruling party, says Labour
06:06
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Adam Withnall
A Labour Party spokesperson, commenting on the Runcorn and Helsby by-election result, said: “By-elections are always difficult for the party in government and the events which led to this one being called made it even harder. Voters are still rightly furious with the state of the country after 14 years of failure and clearly expect the Government to move faster with the Plan for Change.
“While Labour has suffered an extremely narrow defeat, the shock is that the Conservative vote has collapsed. Moderate voters are clearly appalled by the talk of a Tory-Reform pact.
“There are encouraging signs that our Plan for Change is working – NHS waiting lists, inflation and interest rates down with wages up – but we will go further and faster to deliver change with relentless focus on putting money back into people’s pockets.”
Breaking: Reform win Runcorn by just six votes
06:03
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Adam Withnall
The results are in from Runcorn after a recount was needed – Nigel Farage’s paty have won by just six votes.
Here they are in full:
Copeman (Green)- 2,314
Paul Duffy (Lib Dem) - 942
Lord Hope (Loony party) - 128
Sean Houlston (Tory) - 2,341
Sarah Pochin (Reform UK) - 12,645
Karen Shore (Labour) - 12,639
Nigel Farage declares victory in Runcorn and accuses Starmer of 'alienating his voters'
05:59
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Adam Withnall
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Runcorn:
Nigel Farage declares victory in Runcorn, telling reporters now is a "very important moment" for Reform UK. He said the growth in Reform support is happening "right across the UK", accusing Sir Keir Starmer of having "alienated so much of his voting base".
Speaking alongside Reform candidate Sarah Pochin, he said the constituency - which has been held by Labour for more than 40 years - is the equivalent of Diane Abbott's Labour held seat in Hackney.
Ms Pochin told reporters the night had been "very long" but an "amazing experience".
Nigel Farage arrives at Runcorn count
05:57
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Adam Withnall
Nigel Farage has just arrived at the count in Runcorn, where a recount result is expected imminently.
Asked if he thought his Reform party had won it, Farage told reporters outside: “I believe so, yes.” He didn’t sound too certain.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns set to win Greater Lincolnshire mayoral contest
05:53
,
Adam Withnall
Dame Andrea Jenkyns is on the verge of clinching victory in the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral contest, after winning all of the first seven of the nine districts to declare their results.
She’s now more than 30,000 votes ahead of the Conservative candidate Rob Waltham, leaving him with no credible route to victory.
Labour's Karen Shore arrives at by-election count
05:45
,
Adam Withnall
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Runcorn:
Labour candidate Karen Shore has just arrived in the hall at the Runcorn and Helsby by-election as the count officers finish the full recount.
It comes as both Reform and Labour hold their breath to see who has claimed victory in what appears to be the closest by-election result in recent history.
'Doubtful ballot papers' emerge in recount
05:37
,
Adam Withnall
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Runcorn:
A number of "doubtful ballot papers" have emerged in the recount at the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, the returning officer has said.
The whole count hall is on a knife edge as candidates are now being called to speak with the count officers and the final ballots are inspected.
The latest update throws Reform's claim that it has won the by-election into doubt - with a number of frustrated faces visible in the Reform UK camp.
Newly re-elected Labour mayor Jones hits out at Starmer policies
05:35
,
Adam Withnall
Ros Jones, Labour’s newly re-elected mayor of Doncaster, has hit out at Sir Keir Starmer's changes to the winter fuel allowance, hike to employers' national insurance contributions and welfare reforms.
She told the BBC: "I wrote as soon as the winter fuel allowance was actually mooted, and I said it was wrong, and therefore I stepped in immediately and used our household support fund to ensure no-one in Doncaster went cold during the winter."
The increase in national insurance was "hitting some of our smaller businesses" and the squeeze on the personal independence payment was leaving many people "worried", Ms Jones said.
She added: "I think the results here tonight will demonstrate that they need to be listening to the man, woman and businesses on the street, and actually deliver for the people, with the people."
After being elected as mayor of Doncaster for a fourth term, Ms Jones said: "Once again, Doncaster has bucked the national trend, beaten the polls and returned a Labour mayor.
"The people of Doncaster have spoken. They saw through the division and misinformation, putting their faith in me once again.
"This is an historic day for Doncaster, and for me - being re-elected for a fourth term."
Ms Jones continued: "I will, of course, work with the government to deliver investment, jobs and growth to Doncaster.
"But I will continue to hold them to account where necessary.
"I am the directly elected mayor of Doncaster. My priority, first and foremost, will continue to be the residents and businesses of Doncaster."
Labour also hold Doncaster mayoral seat
05:28
,
Adam Withnall
Labour have also held on to win the Doncaster mayoral contest, after earlier taking North Tyneside and West of England. It means three out of six of the mayoral seats up for grabs tonight have gone to the party – the others are still being counted.
Reform have come second in all three seats.
Here are the full Doncaster results – turnout was just over 32 per cent.
Labour hold: Ros Jones (Lab) 23,805 (32.61%)
Alexander Jones (Reform) 23,107 (31.65%)
Nick Fletcher (C) 18,982 (26.00%)
Julie Buckley (Green) 2,449 (3.35%)
Andrew Walmsley (Yorkshire) 1,164 (1.59%)
David Bettney (Soc Dem) 929 (1.27%)
Mihai Melenciuc (LD) 895 (1.23%)
Frank Calladine (BDP) 448 (0.61%)
Ahsan Jamil (WPB) 434 (0.59%)
Andy Hiles (TUSC) 393 (0.54%)
Richie Vallance (Ind) 245 (0.34%)
Doug Wright (ND) 157 (0.22%)
Tories point finger at Labour after 'disappointing' mayoral result in West of England
05:19
,
Adam Withnall
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The Tory Party has attempted to deflect attention from their own campaign in the West of England, instead pointing to Labour's declining vote share in the area.It comes after their candidate Steve Smith came fourth, after Labour, Reform and the Green Party - a result a party spokesperson admitted was "disappointing".
In a statement, the official said Labour's "result in this contest is... telling – with the Party seeing a significant fall in its share of the vote despite winning a historic majority at the General Election just 10 months ago".
“Labour are going backwards, leaving serious questions about Keir Starmer’s leadership – and the future of this Labour government", they added.
Labour win West of England mayoral contest
05:09
,
Adam Withnall
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Labour candidate Helen Godwin has won the West of England mayoral contest, securing 51,197 votes.
Reform UK's Arron Banks followed close behind with 45,252 votes, while the Green Party's Mary Page came third on 41,094.
Following the victory, Labour sources said "voters have been appalled at the pact that the Tories and Reform have been discussing over the campaign", referring to speculation that the two parties could unite in local authorities.
They also highlighted that "polling only last week showed a decisive victory for the Greens".
"Not only has their vote fallen since 2021 but the Conservative vote has also plummeted by 12 per cent," the source added.
Reform win 9 out of 10 Lincolnshire council seats so far
05:02
,
Adam Withnall
Reform are close to sweeping the board in the Lincolnshire County Council seats that have been declared so far.
According to the council website, nine seats have gone to Nigel Farage’s party while just one has been won by the Conservatives – Gary Taylor in Spalding South.
36 of the 70 council seats are being counted overnight. The Tories held the council with 54 seats in 2021.
TAYLOR, Gary John has been elected to represent Spalding South on Lincolnshire County Council. For full results visit: https://t.co/3W2JfCEhfg #LincsElections25 pic.twitter.com/H4QHE8wpPx
— Lincolnshire County Council (@LincolnshireCC) May 2, 2025
Farage says Reform 'very confident we have won' in Runcorn
04:37
,
Adam Withnall
Nigel Farage's Reform UK could be on the brink of inflicting defeat on Labour in the first by-election test for Sir Keir Starmer.
A full recount is taking place in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election contest, with just four votes between Reform in first place and Labour.
Mr Farage said: "Reform UK have won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by four votes!
"Labour have demanded a recount. We are very confident we have won."
It is a dramatic development in a seat which Labour held with a majority of 14,696 in the 2024 general election and came as Reform made gains in local contest across England.
Reform set to take control of Staffordshire County Council
04:24
,
Adam Withnall
Reform UK looked on course to take control of Staffordshire County Council, after taking 24 of the 30 seats to be counted overnight, with Conservatives winning the other six.
It means when counting resumes later on Friday, Reform need to win just eight more seats, which would give Nigel Farage's party a majority on the council which has 62 seats.
Conservative council leader Alan White lost his seat to Reform in one of the first results of the night.
His party previously controlled the council with 53 seats, with Labour holding five and independents four.
The four district and borough areas returning results overnight were Lichfield, Newcastle, South Staffordshire and Tamworth, and ballots will be counted later on Friday in the Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Stafford and Staffordshire Moorlands areas.
The Conservatives have controlled the county council since winning in 2009, claiming elections in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
That’s the end of the overnight counting.
— Staffordshire County Council (@StaffordshireCC) May 2, 2025
With the results declared in 30 of the 62 divisions the situation is:
•Reform UK: 24
•Conservative: 6
Remember, 32 seats are needed for a majority. pic.twitter.com/zMjsaK2MPV
Strong results for Reform in Greater Lincolnshire mayoral contest
04:09
,
Adam Withnall
Andrea Jenkyns is strongly ahead in the three Greater Lincolnshire authorities that have declared results so far for the mayoral contest there. There are nine authorities in total.
Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice earlier said the party was "absolutely smashing it" in the contest.
The BBC is already declaring that it predicts a Reform win in the contest based on the outcomes in the three authorities so far.
Full recount called in Runcorn – with 'just four votes between Labour and Reform'
04:02
,
Adam Withnall
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Runcorn:
A full recount has now officially been called in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election because of the "close proximity of the parties", the returning officer said, indicating that Labour has suffered a brutal knock to the 15,000 vote majority it won at the last general election.
Reform UK told The Independent their candidate Sarah Pochin is just four votes ahead of Labour's Karen Shore.
It comes after all of the candidates were called in to speak with the count officers for the second time in short succession.
Breaking: Full recount set to be called in Runcorn and Helsby by-election
03:57
,
Adam Withnall
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports from Runcorn:
A full recount has been called in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, The Independent is hearing, with Reform UK saying their candidate Sarah Pochin is just four votes ahead of Labour's Karen Shore.
It comes after all of the candidates were called in to speak with the count officers for the second time in short succession.
A full recount is yet to be officially declared.
Reform's Andrea Jenkyns ahead after first declaration in North Lincolnshire
03:42
,
Adam Withnall
Reform UK candidate Dame Andrea Jenkyns was ahead after the first declaration in the contest to become the first North Lincolnshire mayor.
Boston Borough Council, one of the nine authorities that make up the mayoral area, said Dame Andrea had 7,285 votes, ahead of Conservatives (2,695), Lincolnshire Independents (1,193), Labour (897), Green (774