Reform UK delivered a crushing electoral blow to Labour last night with a thumping by-election win, despite a Cabinet Minister campaigning on behalf of Labour.
The disruptor party scooped almost 50 per cent of the vote in the ward of Longdendale (Tameside) just east of Manchester which falls within Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds’ Stalybridge and Hyde constituency.
The Cabinet Minister, who recently came under fire for his claims about his career as a solicitor, leant his weight to Labour’s campaign yesterday, but it was not enough to hold off the Reform surge.
Reform’s Allan Hopwood scooped 46.6 per cent of the vote, beating Labour’s Francesca Coates into second (25 per cent) and Kieron Wild of the Conservatives (12.4 per cent).
Jonathan Reynolds Facebook post on the campaign trail in Longdendale
Jonathan Reynolds Facebook
It means Hopwood has become Reform’s first councillor in Greater Manchester, a traditionally safe Labour area that elected 25 Labour members and two Lib Dems to its 27 constituencies in July 2024.
These included Jonathan Reynolds (Business Secretary), Angela Rayner (Deputy PM), Lucy Powell (Leader of the House of Commons) and Lisa Nandy (Culture Secretary).
The shock result demonstrates Labour’s ability to win seats in safe Labour areas like Manchester and South Wales Valleys and safe Tory areas like Norfolk and Sussex.
“I think some of the Labour members are feeling a bit of heat from residents when they are not performing as perhaps they should,” Mr Hopwood said.
Nigel Farage recently launched Reform UK's local election campaign - 'We will fix broken Britain!'
GBN“People are disenfranchised and have got to the point where they are desperate for change. I’ve found that talking to people when I’ve been going around.
“Overall, the cost of living is what is affecting most people and the council tax rise. People are living in fear of what the council has got planned next.”
Labour-run Tameside Council recently raised council tax by 4.99 per cent, a rise of £91 per year.
“My first priority will be to hold the council accountable for their dealings in terms of what money they spend, what it gets spent on, and the feasibility of it,” continued Mr Hopwood.
“We’ve seen things get started and not finished. We want to know the money collected in the borough is being used in the correct manner.
“I want to be a councillor that knows the needs of everybody – from business people to farmers and people living on the estates.
“I’ve lived in all the different areas throughout my life, I’ve been in many different situations and I’ve gained a lot of life experience from that.”
Manchester has been hit with steep council tax rises
GETTYThere were three other council by-elections last night, a Labour defence in St Ann's (Haringey), a Lib Dem defence in Sutton Central (Sutton) and a Plaid Cymru defence in Teigl (Gwynedd).
Plaid Cymru comfortably held on in Teigl with 68.6 per cent of the vote, while the Lib Dems defended Sutton Central with 55.7 per cent of the vote (+17.4), easily ahead of second-placed Conservatives 14.1 per cent (-10.0) and third-placed Reform 12.2 per cent (New). The St Ann’s ward is yet to declare.
The result comes as yet another blow to Labour who continue to be punished at council by-elections since the July General Election.
Starmer’s party has suffered a net loss of 41 seats since July, with the Tories up 24 seats.
Reform UK, for all its dominant polling and headlines, has won 14 seats (up 14), inviting criticism that it shouts the loudest but isn't producing results.
However, defenders of Reform argue the party has only just professionalised and began from a standing start in terms of candidate recruitment, vetting, membership lists etc.
Reform will be chomping at the bit to record some more electoral victories in May’s local elections and prove they are a force to be reckoned with to the establishment parties.
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May elections
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A total of 1,641 councillors will be elected in May to 23 authorities including 14 county councils, eight unitary authorities, and one metropolitan borough.
Of these 23 authorities, 15 are being defended by the Conservative Party compared to just one for Labour, whilst seven councils are under no overall control (NOC).
A Reform UK Spokesman said: “Since Kemi Badenoch became Tory leader, Reform has gained more seats in council by-elections than any other party.
“By-election results and polling shows everyone that a vote for the Tories is now a wasted vote, only Reform can beat Labour."
LONGDENDALE BY-ELECTION RESULT
Francesca Coates (LABOUR): 489
Allan Hopwood (REFORM): 911
Kieron Wild (CONSERVATIVE): 242
Amanda Hickling (GREEN): 237
Emma Leyla (INDEPENDENT): 76
Turnout: 20.1%
Verified ballot papers: 1,965
Spoilt ballots: 10
