Reform hails 'statement' showing as Tories barely cling on to second place in ... trends now
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Reform UK hailed a 'statement' showing today after the Tories barely held on to second place in the Blackpool South by-election.
In a worrying sign for Rishi Sunak, the insurgents came in just 117 votes behind the Conservative candidate in the Commons contest.
There was also significant support in council contests. In Sunderland - where Reform stood a full slate - it beat the Tories into third place in 16 of 25 seats.
Although the PM will be relieved that he dodged Reform taking second place in Blackpool, the numbers will fuel fears about the right-wing vote being split at the general election.
That could help gift Keir Starmer an even bigger majority than the headline poll standings suggest.
Anxious MPs are waiting to hear whether Nigel Farage could opt to return to the political front line for the election.
Reform UK (pictured, leader Richard Tice) hailed a 'statement' showing today after the Tories barely held on to second place in the Blackpool South by-election
Tory David Jones scraped second in Blackpool South with 3,218 votes, just 117 ahead of Reform UK's Mark Butcher (pictured)
Labour's Chris Webb secured a massive 26 per cent swing in Blackpool South to become the newest MP in the Commons.
It is the seventh parliamentary seat the Tories have lost in a by-election since Mr Sunak became PM in October 2022, six of which have now been won by Labour - underlining that Sir Keir looks to be on track for Downing Street.
As English councils started to declare, Labour also claimed a 'truly historic result' to take Rushmoor - the
