• Reform U.K. won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by six votes, marking their first parliamentary by-election win and the closest margin in UK history.
• Andrea Jenkyns of Reform U.K. was elected mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, securing the party's first mayoral victory with a substantial margin of over 40,000 votes against the Conservative candidate.
• The results suggest a potential realignment of British politics, with Reform U.K. gaining ground against both Labour and Conservatives, particularly in traditionally Conservative areas.

Reform U.K. experienced a breakthrough in recent local elections, highlighted by a razor-thin victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election and a more decisive win in the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral race. These successes point to a potential shift in the British political landscape, challenging the traditional dominance of the Labour and Conservative parties. The wins also sparked debate about Labour's direction and the future of the Conservative party under Kemi Badenoch.

• What: Reform U.K. won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by a mere six votes and secured the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election. They also made gains in local council seats across England.
• Who: Key individuals include Sarah Pochin (Reform U.K. MP for Runcorn and Helsby), Andrea Jenkyns (Reform U.K. Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire), Nigel Farage (leader of Reform U.K.), Kemi Badenoch (leader of the Conservative Party), and Keir Starmer (leader of the Labour Party).
• When: The by-election and local elections took place on Thursday, with results being announced on Friday. The next national election is due by 2029.
• Where: The Runcorn and Helsby by-election was held in northwest England. The Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election covered the east-central region of England. Local council elections occurred across many areas of England.

Reform U.K.'s recent electoral successes represent a significant development in British politics. The narrow victory in Runcorn, while symbolic, demonstrates the party's ability to challenge Labour in traditionally safe seats. The more decisive win in Greater Lincolnshire, coupled with gains in local council seats, underscores Reform U.K.'s growing appeal, particularly among voters disillusioned with the Conservative party. The results have sparked debate about the future direction of both Labour and the Conservatives, with some analysts suggesting a potential realignment of the British political landscape. Nigel Farage's leadership and anti-immigration platform continue to resonate with a segment of the electorate, posing a challenge to the established parties.

"I think we've supplanted the Conservative Party now as the main opposition party in government."

"inch-by-inch Reform will reset Britain to its glorious past."

"The fight back to save the heart and soul of our great country has now begun."

Reform U.K.'s breakthrough represents a potential realignment of British politics. The razor-thin victory in Runcorn, secured by just six votes, and the commanding win in the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral race, coupled with significant gains in local council seats across England, demonstrate the party's expanding appeal to both Labour and Conservative voters. Andrea Jenkyns' mayoral victory, with a nearly 40,000-vote margin, signals a firm rejection of "soft touch Britain" and a demand for decisive action. While Labour managed to hold key mayoralties, their reduced margins and the loss of Runcorn highlight their vulnerability. Nigel Farage's declaration of Reform as the true opposition to Labour underscores the party's ambition to capitalize on widespread discontent and reshape the political landscape, presenting a formidable challenge to the established order. The long-term implications are still unfolding, but these election results mark a watershed moment, forcing a reassessment of political strategies and potentially paving the way for a more fragmented and unpredictable future in British politics.