'Best sign yet!' Reform strikes election hammer blow to Keir Starmer in Labour heartland

Alice Tomlinson
Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:02:31 +0000
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Reform UK struck an election hammer blow to Keir Starmer in a Labour heartland council by-election yesterday.

Voters in Salford headed to the polls yesterday to vote for their next councillor to take the Barton and Winton seat.

Reform UK came out on top, taking 34.9 per cent of the vote, despite never running for the position previously.

Michael Felse, Reform UK’s candidate, will be the party’s first councillor on the Salford City Council.

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Reform’s leader, Nigel Farage took to social media to celebrate the result.

Writing on X, he said: “A huge win for Reform in Salford last night.

“The Labour vote dropped by 30 points.

“This is the best sign yet!”

Previously a Labour-held seat, the vacancy became available after the death of David Lancaster MBE in February, who was one of England’s longest serving councillors, having been first elected to Eccles Council in 1965 at 21-years-old.

Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor said following the passing of Cllr Lancaster MBE: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Councillor David Lancaster MBE, a true stalwart of Salford's Labour Party and lifelong trade unionist, whose contribution to our city spans an extraordinary 60 years of public service.

“His dedication, consistency and sense of duty shaped our city across generations, epitomised by a strong work ethic, collective responsibility, a strong public sector ethos and relentless commitment to Salford, its residents, families, children and young people and diverse communities.”

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Labour came in second, taking 33.2 per cent of the vote, down 29.1 percentage points since the last election in 2024.

The Green Party took 18.7 per cent, up 4 percentage points since the previous election.

Coming in fourth was the Conservatives, with 6.1 per cent of the vote, down 8.2 percentage points since 2024.

Second to last was the Liberal Democrats, taking just 4.9 per cent (down 3.8 percentage points) and finally, an Independent took 2.3 per cent.

FULL RESULTS IN BARTON AND WINTON:

Reform UK, Michael James Felse: 676 votes

Labour Party, Catherine Goodyer: 643 votes

Green Party, Jack Groom: 363 votes

Conservative Party, Holly Ann Muldoon: 118 votes

Liberal Democrats, Antony Ian Duke: 94 votes

Independent, Kirsty Anne Downie: 44 votes

Total votes cast were 1,941 (three rejections included), with a low turnout of 17.8 per cent.

The Barton & Winton seat within Salford City Council is controlled by Labour.

It sits within the Worsley and Eccles South constituency, represented by Labour MP Michael Wheeler.

After being a councillor for Salford City Council on-and-off since 2011, Mr Wheeler ran in the 2024 General Election and won by an 11,091 majority.

The aggregated data of all local elections held in 2025-2026 (so far) shows that Reform UK has won the most seats of any party, taking 82 council seats, a gain of 66, with 27.5 per cent of the vote, up 23.2 points compared to the previous 12 months.

Labour has lost 54 seats, now with just 17 and saw its vote share drop 11.8 points to 14.8 per cent.

The Conservatives lost 22 seats, currently with 29, with their vote share falling 8.9 points to 16.6 per cent.

However, the Liberal Democrats gained 20 seats to reach 64, with their vote share edging up 1.9 points to 18.7 per cent.

The Greens have so far gained 5 seats to reach 20, with their vote share up 1.1 points to 10.8 per cent.