Reform UK has made significant inroads into the political landscape, securing its first-ever regional mayor and clinching a narrow parliamentary by-election victory—marking a watershed moment for the party and its figurehead, Nigel Farage.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns emerged as the new Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire on Friday morning, comfortably defeating her nearest Conservative rival by nearly 40,000 votes. Her decisive win delivers Reform UK a symbolic and strategic foothold in regional politics.
This milestone was swiftly followed by another gain in Westminster. In the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, Reform UK edged out Labour by just six votes following a tense recount. Sarah Pochin was declared the winner, becoming Reform’s fifth Member of Parliament and further cementing the party’s growing influence.
In her acceptance speech, Dame Andrea Jenkyns was unapologetically forthright, taking a swipe at what she described as “dirty tricks” from opposing candidates. She also reignited debate over immigration policy, stating that those arriving illegally via the Channel should be accommodated in tents rather than hotels.
“We’re going to have a Britain where we put British people first, where we put you and your families first, where we make sure you are in front of the queue and you are at the heart of our policy decisions,” she said.
“Today, we as Reform, as we’re making gains across the country, we will see an end to soft-touch Britain. The fightback to save the heart and soul of our great country has now begun. Now that Reform is in a place of power, we can help start rebuilding Britain.”
Party leader Nigel Farage also used the momentum to outline a vision for leaner local governance. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he pledged to introduce a version of Elon Musk’s cost-cutting ‘government efficiency’ model in every council under Reform’s control.
While Labour managed to hold onto several mayoralties—including West of England, North Tyneside, and Doncaster—the day was not without internal dissent. In Doncaster, newly re-elected mayor Ros Jones openly criticised Sir Keir Starmer in her victory speech, hinting at underlying tensions within the party.
Early county council results suggest Reform UK is on course to gain hundreds of local authority seats, drawing support from disaffected Conservative voters while also making further inroads into Labour territory.
The twin victories signal a growing political realignment, with Reform UK emerging as a formidable force on both regional and national fronts. With the party now holding mayoral power and expanding its parliamentary presence, Nigel Farage’s long-held ambitions may be closer to realisation than ever before.
