Reform have won a Labour council seat in a by-election in Blackpool (Image: Getty)
MP has hailed his party’s council by-election victory in Marton, 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 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.
Aggregate Result of the 55 Council By-Elections (for 57 seats) Since the 2024 General Election:LAB: 23 (-9)CON: 13 (+4)LDM: 8 (-1)IND: 5 (+1)GRN: 3 (+1)SNP: 4 (+3)RFM: 1 (+1)
— Election Maps UK (@ElectionMapsUK)
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In that time, the 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 in 2014.
Mr O’Neil campaigned heavily on the controversial decision by the new to remove the 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 .
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.
A Political Tsunami…..Is coming our way. Massive gain here from Labour – This is how the path to victory in 2029 starts.
— Lee Anderson MP (@LeeAndersonMP_)
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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 personal ratings.
In that timeframe, the have won nine, with the 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.