Reform win by-election by six votes after recount

REFORM have won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, beating Labour by just six votes.

- BY MARK SMITH Local Democracy Reporter

In a night of high drama, the eyes of the country were on the constituency in what was billed as the first real electoral test for Keir Starmer's leadership.

A dramatic evening at the DCBL Stadium in Widnes saw the vote too close to call between the two frontrunners Labour and Reform, with Reform ahead at one stage by just four votes.

A full recount was announced just before 4am on Friday and when the dust settled a little over two hours later, it was Reform which were crowned winners.

Nigel Farage arrived shortly before the result was announced, joining winning candidate Sarah Pochin.