Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has declared the "death of Tories" in a dramatic statement to GB News following his party's breakthrough in the 2025 local elections.
Reform secured a parliamentary seat, a regional mayoralty and dozens of council seats across England in what Farage described as an "apocalypse" for the Conservative Party.
Reform UK narrowly won the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary by-election by just six votes, overturning a Labour majority of nearly 14,700 from last year's general election.
The party has also taken 17 seats in Durham County Council, gaining from both Labour and Conservative councillors.
Nigel Farage said that "two party politics died in front of out eyes"
GB NEWS
The Reform UK leader told GB News: "Two-party politics just died in front of our eyes. What happened here in County Durham, in Lancashire, and in Runcorn and Helsby it's pretty cataclysmic for the Labour Party.
"What’s happening to the Conservatives in the shires is an apocalypse. I'm not even sure the Conservative Party can survive this in the long term.
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"You know what? People vote for us because they want change. They’re sick of the two-party system."
He added: "From Reform you can expect scrutiny on how money is spent. Bring the auditors in.
"Look at where the money is going. End the work-from-home culture. Stop wasting money on climate change initiatives.
"We need to shrink the size of local government, reduce excessive spending, and get back to delivering the core services that county councils are supposed to provide."
When asked if he is ready to be the next Prime Minister, he said: "That is not the next step. We've got to get through the Scottish elections.
"We've got to get through the Welsh elections. There are more hurdles to clear. But in answer to your question, why not?"
The party also secured its first-ever regional mayor with Dame Andrea Jenkyns winning the Greater Lincolnshire position with 42 per cent of the vote.
In council elections, Reform made significant gains in Northumberland, winning 23 seats and becoming the second-largest party.
Nigel Farage is the leader of Reform UKX/ Nigel Farage Reform's electoral success extended beyond Northumberland and Durham, with the party winning its first seat on Hartlepool Borough Council in a by-election.
Amanda Napper took the Throston ward from Labour with 889 votes, pledging to tackle anti-social behaviour.
In Essex, Reform gained three seats in local by-elections, including its first on Harlow Council and two on Thurrock Council.
Across the country, early results showed Reform winning about 40 per cent of the vote in contested areas, putting the party 11 points ahead of the Conservatives.
