Labour’s downward spiral has continued as the latest by-election results show more worrying signs for Sir Keir Starmer’s Government.
Fresh contests across England saw Reform UK build on the momentum of Nigel Farage’s strong local election showing, with the party making major gains in several key wards.
While the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats picked up victories of their own, Reform surged into second place in multiple contests and continued eating into Labour’s vote share.
In Kirkham’s Fylde ward, Reform secured more than a quarter of the vote as the Tories stormed to victory, while in Dorset the party mounted a serious challenge to the Liberal Democrats after a sharp rise in support.
Elsewhere, Reform broke into double figures in Lancaster and pushed the Conservatives close in Worcestershire, underlining the party’s growing strength at local level.
Kirkham Ward, Fylde
A Conservative gain for the North-western ward as the Tories went ahead of Reform UK.
Incumbent Independent Councillor Damian Buckley announced his resignation from his seat for reasons not released to the public, forcing the by-election.
Despite current polling figures, Kemi Badenoch's party surged 34 per cent to get over 60 per cent of the total vote.
Reform, which previously had no candidate for the ward back in 2023, gained over 27 per cent.
Labour were the big losers with their vote share crashing by over 13 per cent.
Results:
Conservatives: 60.6 per cent (+33.9)
Reform UK: 27.3 per cent (New)
Labour: 6.6 per cent (-13.8)
Liberal Democrats: 5.5 per cent (New)
No Ind (-52.9 per cent) as previous.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
| ELECTION MAPS UK
Bridport Ward, Dorset
The Liberal Democrats held this Dorset ward despite a challenge from Reform.
Nigel Farage's Party saw the largest surge of over 23 per cent.
However, it was not enough to catch the Lib Dems, whose vote share has increased by over eight per cent since 2024.
The Green's plumetted by nearly 12 per cent, while Labour failed to stand a candidate.
The result means the Liberal Democrats regain their majority on Dorset Council.
Results:
Liberal Democrats: 43.6 per cent (+8.2)
Reform: 23.2 per cent (New)
Green: 20.1 per cent (-11.9)
Conservatives: 13.1 per cent (-4.0)
No Labour (-15.6) as previous.
The result means the Liberal Democrats regain their majority on Dorset Council
|ELECTION MAPS UK
Castle Ward, Lancaster
The Green Party hold this stronghold with very little challenge.
They surged to 70 per cent, surpassing their previous massive majority of 65 per cent in 2024.
The increase appeared to be at the cost of Labour, which plummeted by more than 10 per cent of the vote.
Reform also gained voters from Labour and the Conservatives, finishing in third place, challenging the Green heartland.
Results:
Green: 70.0 per cent (+4.9)
Labour: 15.7 per cent (-10.6)
Reform UK: 10.9 per cent (New)
Liberal Democrats 3.4 per cent (+0.0)
No Conservative candidate as previous. (-5.3)
The Green Party hold this stronghold with very little challenge
| GETTYAlfrick, Leigh & Rushwick ward, Malvern Hills
The Liberal Democrats gained this ward as the Conservatives failed to capitalise on their advantage from 2023.
The ward was held by an independent councillor, who stepped down because he felt the authority had become "unproductive as a body" and cited frustration with recent "bad decisions".
The Conservatives were in second but were leapfrogged by Ed Davy's party.
Reform UK came a close third, sitting less than three per cent behind the Tories.
Results:
Liberal Democrats: 25.8 per cent (+10.6)
Conservatives: 22.3 per cent (+3.2)
Reform UK: 19.4 per cent (New)
Independent: 16.9 per cent (New)
Green: 10.8 per cent (New)
Independent: 4.7 per cent (New)
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