Reform UK has secured victory in two council by-elections as leader Nigel Farage boasts “something is happening here.”
The results come as a blow to the Conservatives in the Kent area as Reform continues to threaten them from the right. Labour will also be concerned that this is indicative of a broader disenfranchisement with the current Government.
Reform secured the victories on Kent County Council and Dartford Borough Council.
In Swanscombe and Greenhithe, Kent, Reform won 29% of the vote, up from just 1.6% last time out.Labour was second with 24.6% of the vote while the Tories languished in fourth with 15.6%. The two seats were previously held by the independent Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents’ Association (SGRA).
Thomas Mallon was the Reform UK candidate who will now take a seat on the council.
On the Dartford Borough Council – in the Greenhithe & Knockhall ward – Reform came first with 31% of the vote. They were followed by the SGRA (27%). Labour and the Tories were both beaten to third place by the Greens. Reform’s candidate here was Michael David Brown.
Reacting to the results, Mr Farage said: “Obviously I am very pleased with the results from Kent. It is all the more pleasing because we did it from a virtual standing start and it reflects our new, professionalised approach.
“Now we are going all out for Kent County Council next May and I will be addressing a dinner in Hythe tonight (Nov 22) to that effect. Something is happening out there.”
Tory backbencher Cllr Sarah Hudson added: “This says that Reform UK is going to win a hell of a lot of seats next May at the election.
“It might be a by-election but it’s indicative of things. It means the Tories are still not loved and the Labour Party are not loved either.
“Reform UK are filling the void of where we should be and the voters are telling us that we can’t be trusted to do any of the things that we said we would do but didn’t.”
An Ipsos poll released earlier this week found that Mr Farage holds a better favorability rating that the Prime Minister. Mr Farage was seen favourably by 28% and unfavorably by 48% – a net approval rating of -20
Sir Keir Starmer is liked by 23% and disliked by 52%, the poll found. This gave him a net approval rating of -29.
New Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch was seen favourably by 21% and unfavourable by 39% – a net approval rating of -18.
