Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has made significant gains in Thursday’s English local elections, clinching its fifth parliamentary seat, a first mayoral post, and multiple council positions — developments that signal a growing threat to Britain’s two dominant political parties.

The most dramatic victory came in Runcorn and Helsby, where Reform snatched a parliamentary seat by just six votes following a full recount. The narrow win comes less than a year after Labour had claimed the same seat with a commanding majority of nearly 15,000.

“It’s been a huge night for Reform,” said Farage, the veteran Brexit campaigner, speaking to reporters. “This is heartland Labour Party, their vote has collapsed and much of it has come to us.”

The party also made history by winning its first mayoralty in Greater Lincolnshire, where Andrea Jenkyns — a former Conservative minister who joined Reform after losing her parliamentary seat last year — was elected mayor. Jenkyns now holds the most senior elected office within the party, with authority over a region of around one million people.

These victories underscore the fragmentation of Britain’s political landscape in the aftermath of the last general election, when Labour leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer secured one of the biggest majorities in modern political history. However, his government has since experienced a rapid decline in approval ratings — the fastest for any newly elected British administration.

Starmer has faced mounting criticism for raising taxes, cutting pension benefits, and mishandling party funding controversies. Reform has capitalised on public disillusionment, offering an alternative for voters disenchanted with both Labour and the Conservatives.

“Reform UK looks like the real deal this morning,” said Keiran Pedley, Director of Politics at polling agency Ipsos. “That said, with increased support comes scrutiny. Where they do win, they will need to show they can deliver the change their voters want.”

Voters on Thursday cast ballots for over 1,600 local authority seats across England and participated in six mayoral races. As results continue to emerge, Reform’s growing presence is reshaping Britain’s political narrative and could force both Labour and the Conservatives to reassess their strategies ahead of the next national poll. (AriseNews TV)

•Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform U.K. party, celebrates the victory of Sarah Pochin, the party’s candidate in a by-election in northwestern England, on May 2. (Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images)