Lee Anderson hails 'political tsunami' as Reform trounces Labour in bruising by-election

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.

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.

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.