Reform UK has delivered another crushing blow to the Labour Party by winning the Stocksbridge & Upper Don by-election.
The political shake-up saw Nigel Farage's party secure its first the Labour-dominated Sheffield City Council.
John Booker returned to the council after a five year break, having previously represented West Ecclesfield ward as a Ukip councillor.
Reform UK's gain was prompted by the resignation of Julie Grocutt in May after six years as a Labour councillor.
Reform UK has delivered another crushing blow to the Labour Party
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Booker secured 1,789 votes, with the Liberal Democrats second on 1,597 and Labour dropping to third with 1,324 votes.
The win builds on momentum from Reform's success in Doncaster, when the party took two-thirds of the council's seats in the recent local elections.
Sheffield City Council consists of 84 councillors, elected to represent 28 wards.
It is currently under no overall control, with Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party each holding chair positions in a proportionate number of committees.
The political shakeup saw Nigel Farage's party infiltrate the Labour-dominated Sheffield City Council
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The newly elected councillor said: “I’m over the moon. I’m happy that we’ve now got an alternative voice in Sheffield City Council which it needed for a long time.
“I believe in common sense, which has left this building and it needs to come back. When I was in the building before, I used to get collared all the time for using the words common sense.
“Common sense to me is what the people think.”
“We’ve galvanised public opinion. I think the Labour Party is going the way of the Conservative Party.”
Council and Labour group leader Coun Tom Hunt blamed the national Government for making the council election 'challenging'
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Despite Starmer winning a landslide election in July last year, Labour council leader Tom Hunt blamed the Starmer's Government for making the council election "challenging".
He said: “The national background always meant this was going to be a challenging election. It’s much easier for some parties who only have to stand on the sidelines – being in government means you have to take decisions."
Voters online have highlighted the breakthrough as it has implications for Barnsley and other neighbouring areas, as Reform momentum continues to sweep across the nation.
They described the seat as a "bellwether for the north".
Booker secured 1,789 votes, with the Liberal Democrats second on 1,597 and Labour dropping to third with 1,324 votes
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Reacting to the landmark win, one social media user responded: "If Reform can pick up a seat in Labour-dominated Sheffield, then Manchester is very vulnerable to their challenge."
Another added: "Boom. The country has spoken again!"
A third wrote: "Great news, the first of many in Barnsley and Sheffield."
Reform UK also made a significant gain in Whitworth, securing the ward with a 47.5 per cent vote.
Reform UK also made a significant gain in Whitworth
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Full results of candidates:
- John Booker, Reform UK, 1,789
- Stuart Shepherd, Liberal Democrats, 1,597
- Josiah Tomasz Lenton, Labour Party, 1,324
- Andy Davies, Green Party, 294
- Matt Dixon, Conservative Party, 332
- Adam James Allcroft, Yorkshire Party, 58 votes
- Claire Suzanne Wraith, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, 43 votes
Turnout: 5,437 votes (36.8 per cent).
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