‘Dear David,
It’s happened. As Open Britain has predicted for weeks, Reform UK has just won the Parliamentary by-election in Runcorn and Helsby – and by just SIX votes.
This is not the news we wanted to hear this Friday morning – especially as it also appears that Reform are also on track to have significant success in the local elections. As we all know, Farage and Tice should rarely be trusted on anything – but they HAVE kept their word on delivering a seismic shift in the British political landscape this morning.
The results from Runcorn (and beyond) should provide a huge wake-up call to both Labour and the Conservatives that ‘politics as usual’ just isn’t cutting it anymore. But more importantly, it must be seen as a crucial reminder of what our decaying democracy can give rise to. Here’s why:
Populism has prevailed
When we visited Runcorn in April, very few of the dozens of Reform voters we spoke to could even name their candidate – now their MP – let alone recall anything about her or how she would improve their lives. Instead, their enthusiasm seemed largely based on the media talking points they had heard from Nigel Farage. They seemed particularly motivated by the issue of immigration and their faith that Reform and Farage would crack down on it.
As it happens, immigration is an issue which has very little direct impact on Runcorn – far less than on most other parts of Britain. It’s clear, then, that this Reform win is not a victory for the people of Runcorn, but for the populist propaganda and lies being pushed by Farage.
Anti-establishment anger
Alongside immigration, it is clear the result in Runcorn is also a rejection of Labour’s current performance. When we spoke to Runcorn voters, their anger and, frankly, hatred for Keir Starmer and his Labour government shone through and was the most prevalent reason given for voting Reform.
This is not how our elections should be decided – a race to the bottom where we vote for the least objectionable candidate or to give the current guy one in the eye. At a time when the established parties are performing poorly in the polls, a system that encourages this simply paves the way for bad actors and the further rise of the far-right.
Low turnout
Whilst the pattern of anti-establishment voting in favour of Reform is deeply concerning, the very low turnout is an equally significant problem. In fact, it could be seen as an even greater problem.
Only 46% of people cast a vote in Runcorn and Helsby. We know that turnout at by-elections is always lower than at general elections, but this level of disengagement in relation to a Parliamentary seat is extremely worrying. Reform have won this seat with the support of just 17% of eligible voters. This is hardly a strong mandate for anything – especially with a majority of just six votes – but they will claim their win is an endorsement of their party’s plans, including on issues of such fundamental importance as Net Zero.
Strong voter turnout is the bedrock of any democracy, and it’s very clear this is on a downward trend in Britain. We must reverse this trend and give people a reason to engage positively with the democratic system.
So what are WE doing?
Open Britain is working hard, every day, to repair the cracks in our democracy.
- We’re fighting back against the far-right and authoritarian populism, exposing the lies of Reform and Farage, and making it clear they are not the solution to the problems with Britain’s democracy.
- We’re reminding people of their democratic rights, and empowering them to use their votes effectively – in all elections.
- We’re putting meaningful pressure on the government to make our elections more representative, to give everyone a voice and make every vote count equally.
Our commitment to fight AGAINST the far-right populists, and FOR your democratic rights, is stronger now than ever before.
The result from Runcorn will set alarm bells ringing across Britain. Those alarm bells will wake more people up to the things OB has been saying for a long time now. We will work hard to ensure as many people as possible hear our message and join our movement. And we’ll continue to be extremely grateful for your support as we do that.
Thank you for standing up to Reform!
All the best,
James Patrick
Campaigns and Content Officer’
Down here in Bristol we had an election for the West of England Combined Authority metro mayor. It had been Dan Norris, who was right-wing Labour. He, however, has been suspended and forced to vacate his seat as he’s being investigated for accusations of rape and child molestation. However, the election was won by the replacement Labour candidate, though Reform came a close second. The Greens were expected to win as they won a parliamentary seat in Bristol a year or so ago, and are also the leading party on Bristol’s council. However, I suspect their chances of winning the election for metro mayor were harmed by the damage they’ve done to Bristol’s traffic system and their plans to pedestrianize Park Street, one of the city’s major shopping and dining areas, in the name of being green and expanding the Clean Air Zone. This has just caused more traffic chaos and Park Street’s businesses are understandably extremely worried about losing trade through pedestrianization.
As with Runcorn, I also expect that the turnout for the metro mayor election here was very low, as the metro mayors probably appear to most people in the Bristol area as remote and far removed from the more their immediate leaders and representatives on their local authorities. As for the new Labour metro mayor herself, she’s acknowledged that she now needs to win over and work with those who voted for her opponents. But I don’t have much optimism. I think she’s another Labour right-winger, like Norris, who will actually do precious little for the region’s constituents. Like giving them a proper, council-controlled bus service that serves all the districts in Bristol and its surroundings rather than just the ones providing First Bus with a very tidy profit.
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