Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has hailed his party’s council by-election victory in Marton, Blackpool as a “political tsunami”.
Anderson, who was one of five Reform MPs elected to parliament in July’s general election, believes that the result is an important step on his party’s journey to winning the next election.
He said on X: A political tsunami is coming our way. Massive gain here from Labour – This is how the path to victory in 2029 starts.”
The council seat by-election was triggered after Labour councillor Sarah Smith was elected as MP for Hyndburn in Lancashire at this summer’s general election.
The victory was Reform’s first success in the 55 council elections to have taken place since July’s general election.
Reform have won a Labour council seat in a by-election in Blackpool (Image: Getty)
In that time, the Green party have won three and independent candidates have won five.
The Marton council seat was won by Jim O’Neil, a former soldier who served for 25 years before leaving the Army in 2014.
Mr O’Neil campaigned heavily on the controversial decision by the new Labour government to remove the winter fuel allowance and has pledged to donate his council earnings to charities helping those in need.
The Marton by-election was one of four to take place yesterday, with Scotforth East being won by the Greens and Strathmartine and Lochee being won by the SNP.
Council by-elections can be used as a useful barometer of public feeling towards the performance of government but can also be indicative of sentiments towards local politics.
Labour has performed poorly in the 26 by-elections since 16th September (Image: Getty)
Recent by-election results will be of concern to Labour, with the party winning just four of the 26 by-elections held since September 16, a figure that coincides with a drop in Sir Keir Starmer’s personal ratings.
In that timeframe, the Conservatives have won nine, with the Liberal Democrats also winning more than Labour with five victories.
The results are a warning sign to Labour, with small and independent parties proving their allure to voters on a local level.
Council results since the general election indicate that forthcoming council elections in May could be a bruising affair for the government as 21 county councils, nine unitary councils, one metropolitan borough council, the Isle of Scilly and City of London councils all head to the polls.
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Keir Starmer could be ousted this year as odds show favourite replacement
Keir Starmer could be replaced as Prime Minister by the end of the year due to the fallow of his freebie donations scandal, new betting odds suggest.
The bookies currently make Rachel Reeves the most likely name to replace him with odds at 7/1. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is now third in the betting as a replacement at 10/1, behind Wes Streeting (8/1),
There are betting odds that Sir Keir will go as PM as soon as th (Image: Getty)
It comes after Sir Keir agreed to pay back £6,000 worth of previously claimed donations, including the cost of six Taylor Swift tickets, four others to the races and a clothing rental agreement with top designer liked by his wife Victoria.
Betting firm Ladbrokes said the most likely exit date for Starmer is 2029, at 6/4, but there is also a shock 2025 exit for Sir Keir priced at just 3/1.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “While the odds suggest it’s unlikely, we’re not completely ruling out a shock Starmer exit this year… although 3/1 for the boot in 2025 suggests a tough few months ahead for the PM.”
It has been a turbulent time for the new Prime Minister after sweeping into power just three months ago.
During the summer he was dubbed “Two-Tier” Keir due to a row over the policing of the race riots that swept the country.
He has then lurched between a series of scandals regarding donations from Labour peer and business mogul Lord Alli, not only to him, but other senior members of the party.
Sir Keir has been criticised for taking too many freebies (Image: Getty)
Ladbrokes Latest Betting on next Labour Party Leader
Rachel Reeves – 7/1
Wes Streeting – 8/1
Andy Burnham – 10/1
Angela Rayner – 12/1
Yvette Cooper – 12/1
Bridget Phillipson – 14/1
Jonathan Reynolds – 14/1
Lisa Nandy – 14/1
When will Keir Starmer be replaced as Labour leader?
2024 – 7/1
2025 – 3/1
2026 – 6/1
2027 – 7/1
2028 – 5/1
2029 or later – 6/4
