Six votes secure Reform’s dramatic win in Runcorn by-election

• Reform UK narrowly defeated Labour in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by six votes, a significant boost for Nigel Farage's party.
• This marks Reform UK's first major electoral victory and a blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party, which had held the seat for over 40 years.
• The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour’s Mike Amesbury following an assault conviction.
• Hundreds of council seats and four mayoralties were contested around England.
• The result comes amid declining approval ratings for the Labour government, attributed to controversial welfare cuts and economic concerns.

IN FULL

Runcorn by-election: Reform narrowly wins in major blow to Sir Keir Starmer