Reform UK has surged ahead of Labour to mark its first by-election win of the year, piling pressure on Sir Keir Starmer’s party amid criticism over plans to cancel upcoming local elections.

Nigel Farage’s party secured its first seat on Gosport Borough Council after bagging almost 50 per cent of the votes in a by-election held in the Bridgemary ward on Thursday.

Sir Keir Starmer’s party meanwhile slumped to a distant 2.5 per cent.

It comes amid mounting disapproval over Labour’s plans to push back district and county council elections scheduled to take place across the country in May as part of a shake-up to local government.

Sir Keir said the prospect of postponements was “a common sense question” of whether to go forward with elections in cases where the local authority is due to undergo changes.

Political commentator and columnist, Sophie Corcoran, argues Labour is “trying to dodge” the ballot box with its plans.

Writing exclusively for GB News, she said: “Let’s be clear about what this really is. This has nothing to do with balancing the books.

“It is about protecting political careers. Keir Starmer knows his party is weak.

“He knows voters are angry. He knows he is toast. Instead of facing the ballot box, Labour are trying to dodge it. That is pure cowardice.”

So how did each political party perform in this week’s by-elections? GB News investigates.

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Bridgemary, Gosport

Reform UK candidate Paul Carter stormed ahead in the Bridgemary ward by-election for Gosport Borough Council in Hampshire.

Mr Carter was elected after securing 42.5 per cent of the votes, snatching victory from the Liberal Democrats.

The Lib Dems followed closely behind as they sought to defend the seat, bagging 40.5 per cent of votes.

Reacting to the win, Reform UK’s Gosport branch said: “A massive thank you to the residents of Bridgemary for coming out and voting.

“History was made this evening with our first Reform UK councillor being appointed!”

Reform’s head of policy, Zia Yusuf, wrote to X: “Wow. Another REFORM WIN, taking a seat from the Lib Dems! Tory vote collapses again…”

The full results are:

• Reform: 42.5 per cent
• Lib Dem: 40.5 per cent
• Conservative: 14.6 per cent
• Labour: 2.5 per cent

Heworth, York 

Labour successfully kept hold of its seat in the Heworth ward on the City of York Council.

The by-election was sparked following the resignation of Labour Councillor, Ben Burton.

Labour candidate Anna Catherine Perrett saw victory with 36.7 per cent, followed by Reform with 20.1 per cent.

Ms Perrett said in a post to social media: “I’d like to thank the residents of Heworth ward for electing me as their councillor and everyone who has supported me throughout the campaign.

“I could not have been elected without the support of many others, including my ward colleagues Councillor Claire Douglas and Councillor Bob Webb.

“This result shows that by working hard every day, both in our communities and in the council, we can keep building on our track record of being visible and ready to listen and help residents.

“I look forward to serving Heworth residents and can’t wait to get back out in the community again.”

The full results are:

• Labour: 36.7 per cent
• Reform: 20.1 per cent
• Green: 19.8 per cent
• Lib Dem: 17.7 per cent
• Conservatives: four per cent