Reform gains fifth MP with sensational 6-vote victory

IN a night of drama, Reform UK won its fifth MP when Sarah Pochin scraped to victory in Runcorn and Helsby - by just six votes after a recount.

- By Lotti O'Brien in Runcorn

Nigel Farage’s party triumphed in Cheshire after the ballot papers were checked at 4am when Ms Pochin was initially found to have beaten Labour’s Karen Shore by four votes.

Throughout the evening, Reform’s team appeared optimistic, despite the feeling that the result was too close to call between them and Labour.

But their patience was rewarded and the major win signified a change in the mood of the nation, given the local area in England's North West has long been one of Labour’s heartlands.

It came as Mr Farage’s relentless campaigning across the country paid off, with his party how holding control of 10 councils.

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