By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-10-29 18:23:43 | Updated at 2024-10-30 19:22:43
1 day ago
Reform UK is ramping up its council by-election efforts in what could be a worrying trend for the Labour Party and the Conservatives.
Since the General Election, Nigel Farage’s party has fielded a candidate for 35 of the 105 council seats available (33 per cent), but in by-elections due to take place over the next four weeks, they’re standing in 29 of 43 seats of seats available (67 per cent).
This will worry the other parties as, despite only contesting 35 of 105 council seats since the General Election, Reform UK has won five per cent of the aggregate vote share, up 4.6 per cent.
The party won one council - Marton in Blackpool - with 38.8 per cent of the vote, up 29.3 per cent. Labour lost the council as their vote share plummeted 23 per cent.
Since the General Election, Labour’s aggregate vote share in council elections fell 8.6 per cent, costing them 20 seats. The Conservatives were up 1.7 per cent, winning 15 seats.
"Many of you can see that the Tory brand is broken – not just thanks to the endless scandals it has faced, but also the reality that the party has betrayed the values that it once stood for.
“Reform UK will defend and celebrate those values. As such, our door is open should you consider standing for Reform UK.
“Given the imminent selection of a Reform UK candidate to stand against you, if you are interested in this proposal please reply to this email no later than 6pm on November 6, 2024."
Five councillors have answered the plea to date and switched allegiance including three independent district councillors in Nottinghamshire, one Conservative in Essex and two Conservatives in Aberdeenshire.
