Nigel Farage says Reform is now main opposition party after local election gains

Nigel Farage has claimed Reform UK's tight victory in Runcorn means the party is now the main opposition to Labour. The result in Runcorn and Helsby, which came on a night when Reform was expected to gain hundreds of council seats across England, followed a 17% swing from Labour. After a recount that delayed the declaration by three hours, Reform won 38.6% of the vote – amounting to 12,645 votes, six more than Labour, one of the smallest margins of victory in recent UK political history. The Conservatives slumped from 16% of the vote at last year’s general election to 7%, finishing narrowly ahead of the Green party in third place. Farage said the result sent a clear message that 'we are now the opposition' and that if voters back the Tories then they would 'just get a Labour government' English local elections: Tories reject claim Reform UK main opposition after ultra-slim byelection win – UK politics live Reform wins Runcorn byelection by just six votes in blow to Labour Is Nigel Farage’s quest to rid Reform of ‘amateurism’ paying off?