Nigel Farage declared Reform UK as the "real opposition" after a surprise sweep in UK local elections, including a historic by-election win. The right-wing party also captured mayoral and council seats,

With a stunning sweep across local councils and a historic by-election victory, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has done what many thought impossible: cracked Britain’s long-standing two-party dominance,

Reform’s Sarah Pochin was declared winner of the seat of Runcorn and Helsby in northwest England by six votes after a recount. Leader of Reform Nigel Farage told journalists that the victory represented a “loss of confidence” in the governing Labour Party.