Nigel Farage has declared Reform the true opposition, claiming the two-party system is ‘dead.’
Local election results and a dramatic by-election defeat for Labour in Runcorn and Helsby have intensified scrutiny of the government’s policies and raised fresh doubts about the Tories’ ability to counter the growing threat from Reform UK.
The by-election ran alongside local elections across England in which Reform made further gains, including winning its first regional mayoralty.
Labour held on to West of England mayor, albeit on an even lower share of the vote than at North Tyneside or Doncaster.
Labour MPs Voice Alarm
As results poured in on Friday, Labour figures reacted with concern, pointing to internal dissatisfaction and warning of political risks if the party fails to deliver on promises of change.
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In its 10 months in government, Labour has turned the winter fuel allowance into a means-tested benefit, announced an increase in employers’ national insurance (NI) contributions, and unveiled sweeping welfare cuts.
“By pushing policies like cuts to disability benefits and scrapping the winter fuel allowance, the leadership is driving away our own voters—and letting Reform squeeze through,” said Burgon.
Following her reelection, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones urged Labour to “listen to the people and businesses on the street,” warning that policies like the winter fuel allowance cut and NI rise were causing concern.
She said she had used local funds to protect vulnerable residents and criticised the impact of welfare changes on small businesses and disabled people.
Labour MP Kim Johnson described the Runcorn outcome as a warning Labour can’t ignore.
“People voted for real change last July and an end to austerity. The first 10 months haven’t been good enough or what the people want and if we don’t improve people’s living standards then the next government will be an extreme right-wing one,” he said.
Commenting on the election results on Friday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the by-election outcome was “disappointing” but vowed to bring on the “change that people want to see.”
He defended government policies, saying they were “tough but right decisions.”
“Because of those decisions we are now seeing waiting lists coming down, something people desperately want. Because of that pensioners are now £470 up as of last month, these are really important changes,” Starmer said.
Tories Losing Ground to Reform
Reform’s success comes largely at the expense of the Conservatives, with both by-election and mayoral wins going to candidates formerly affiliated with the Tory party.
Conservative Party co-chairman Nigel Huddleston admitted the party is still rebuilding after its general election defeat.
He said it was “a marathon, not a sprint” for the party amid losses in the local election results.
“Reform now are offering everything to everybody. They are a protest party that is trying to be all things to all men. It’s extremely popular, and it’s extremely populist,” Huddleston added.
However, for Reform, the election wins could mean it is more than a protest movement and could be a party of government. Leader Nigel Farage said Reform is the real opposition to Labour.
Two-Party System Is ‘Dead’
Farage also added that the mayoral win in Greater Linconshire proves that the traditional two-party system “is now dead.”
It comes as political analysts argue that local elections underscore a deepening shift in UK politics.
Professor Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University described it as an age of “five-party politics,” adding that the erosion of Labour and Conservative dominance was already evident in the last general election.
He urged the government to stop “pandering to Reform” and instead focus on taxing wealth to fund public services and social housing.
Reform Eyes Expansion in Wales and Scotland
Looking ahead, Reform is targeting further growth, particularly in the devolved nations.
In Wales, Reform gained a seat on Bridgend County Borough Council after Owain Clatworthy narrowly defeated Labour by 30 votes in a by-election triggered by the resignation of Councillor Mike Kearn.
While Labour retains control of the council, the result increases Reform’s presence in Welsh local government to eight councillors.
With a year to go before the next elections in Wales and Scotland, Reform’s performance in Runcorn may signal a new chapter in British politics.
PA Media contributed to this report.