Nigel Farage will be keeping a close eye on Thursday's results (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage and Reform UK are entering what could be one of the most consequential 24 hours in the party’s short history. With eight council by-elections across England, Scotland, and Wales set for Thursday, August 21, the stakes are unusually high as the party looks to consolidate its foothold in local politics while Labour and the Conservatives fight to maintain their traditional strongholds.
The first spotlight falls on Bentley, Doncaster, where Reform UK faces the immediate challenge of defending a seat after councillor Samuel Booth's resignation after just two months in office. Mr Booth’s departure sparked a furious exchange with Labour rival Matt Jones, who accused Reform UK of squandering public funds. Despite the controversy, local sources suggest Reform UK remains the frontrunner to retain the seat, thanks to a solid grassroots campaign.
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Meanwhile, in Cranford, Reform UK must contend with a Labour stronghold that has historically delivered over 60% of the vote. The death of incumbent councillor Sukhbir Singh Dhaliwal triggered this by-election, and a lower turnout typical of local elections could make the ward surprisingly competitive.
The Conservatives and Greens are also mounting credible challenges, meaning even a small shift in voter sentiment could dramatically affect the outcome.
Abermaw in Wales is another test of Reform UK’s ability to translate national visibility into local support. Here, the late Councillor Rob Triggs’ seat has been vacated, and while Independents previously dominated, Reform UK’s Terry Temple could disrupt expectations in a contest where just over 750 votes were cast in 2022.
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Further north, the Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor by-election in East Renfrewshire pits Reform UK against Labour, SNP, and Conservatives. The SNP gained the seat by a razor-thin margin last time, highlighting how even modest campaign gains could tip the balance in a multi-party contest.
The East Hampshire, Addlestone South, and Hinchley Wood wards each present their own hurdles, ranging from incumbent Conservative control to complex multi-seat ballots under the Single Transferable Vote system. Reform UK candidates must navigate these complexities while maintaining momentum in less well-established areas.
All eyes are on Mr Farage, who has personally campaigned across multiple wards, seeking to rally support and counter accusations of inexperience following Booth’s resignation.
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Reform councillor, 22, sacked from top council role months into job
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Success in these eight tests could potentially cement Reform UK as a rising force in local government, while failure might reinforce critics’ claims that the party lacks staying power beyond national media headlines.
With just 24 hours until polling begins, the pressure is on. Every candidate, every leaflet, and every door knocked could determine whether Mr Farage’s gamble pays off.
In a crowded political landscape, Reform UK’s ability to translate notoriety into votes is being tested like never before – and the results may reshape local politics long after the polls close.
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