Reform vote shares fall in five council by-elections as Restore gains

Reform UK won three of six English council by-elections, but its vote share fell in each of the five wards where results could be compared with May. The declines point to a challenge for Nigel Farage’s party as the new right-wing rival Restore Britain drew support across several contests.

Reform’s share dropped most in Huncoat, Hyndburn, falling from 49.2 per cent in May to 29.8 per cent; Restore won 27.8 per cent there. The Conservatives took Bosmere in Suffolk by 23 votes, while Labour won two seats and the Conservatives one overall. Reform deputy leader Richard Tice cited an average vote share of 34.3 per cent across all six contests, and Farage has said the party needs to re-energise voters after a difficult summer.