Runcorn & Helsby by-election Labour candidate Karen Shore (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Labour’s candidate in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election was left red-faced after a voter brutally dismissed her on the doorstep – delivering a blunt verdict on Sir Keir Starmer in the process. Karen Shore, Labour’s candidate in Thursday’s contest, was out canvassing when she was firmly rebuffed by a resident. The voter said: “Can’t stand the man, wouldn’t vote for the man, I’m going green, bye-bye.”
Ms Shore, obviously caught off guard, responded ironically: “That was good” as the door slammed shut. The moment, caught on camera and broadcast by ITV, comes at a sensitive time for Labour, with Sir Keir himself having already admitted that the contest will be “tough”.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Bombshell poll warns Labour could sneak crunch by-election win despite Reform UK surge
167 Comments
Nigel Farage tipped to be 'big winner' in local elections in huge blow to Keir Starmer
112 Comments
Nearly half Reform supporters want merger with Conservatives
83 Comments
Desperate Lefties' new tactic to stop Nigel Farage's Reform storm at local elections
242 Comments
POLL: What issues matter the most to you in this local election?
Comments
POLL: Is Keir Starmer doing a good job at cutting migration to the UK?
77 Comments
Kemi Badenoch's latest election video reveals who she thinks the real enemy is
5 Comments
Boris Johnson comeback could be on cards to save Tories from themselves
123 Comments
Bombshell poll puts Nigel Farage's Reform even more in front as Labour support crashes
106 Comments
Nigel Farage must escape fate of elections being referendum on Donald Trump
37 Comments
Ed Miliband is the most divisive man in politics - he's tearing Labour apart AGAIN
298 Comments
Tories on course to lose 500 seats in election nightmare with Reform storming councils
91 Comments
Kemi Badenoch backs deal with Nigel Farage's Reform UK after local elections
66 Comments
GMB bias row as Ed Balls branded 'disgraceful' over furious Richard Tice clash
8 Comments
Labour voters name the politician they want to replace Keir Starmer
162 Comments
Sky News presenters stunned as Nigel Farage unleashes ‘political drive-by' attack
1 Comments
Nigel Farage erupts at fishing 'disaster' as he warns of Keir Starmer Brexit betrayal
368 Comments
The key sign that Keir Starmer's already accepted Reform have won crucial by-election
64 Comments
Lee Anderson issues blunt 2-word response after Tories dredge up old video
15 Comments
Labour tipped for disastrous defeat as party's poll numbers tank in key mayoral race
103 Comments
Bombshell poll warns Labour could sneak crunch by-election win despite Reform UK surge
167 Comments
Nigel Farage tipped to be 'big winner' in local elections in huge blow to Keir Starmer
112 Comments
Nearly half Reform supporters want merger with Conservatives
83 Comments
Desperate Lefties' new tactic to stop Nigel Farage's Reform storm at local elections
242 Comments
POLL: What issues matter the most to you in this local election?
Comments
POLL: Is Keir Starmer doing a good job at cutting migration to the UK?
77 Comments
Kemi Badenoch's latest election video reveals who she thinks the real enemy is
5 Comments
Boris Johnson comeback could be on cards to save Tories from themselves
123 Comments
Bombshell poll puts Nigel Farage's Reform even more in front as Labour support crashes
106 Comments
Nigel Farage must escape fate of elections being referendum on Donald Trump
37 Comments
Ed Miliband is the most divisive man in politics - he's tearing Labour apart AGAIN
298 Comments
Tories on course to lose 500 seats in election nightmare with Reform storming councils
91 Comments
Kemi Badenoch backs deal with Nigel Farage's Reform UK after local elections
66 Comments
GMB bias row as Ed Balls branded 'disgraceful' over furious Richard Tice clash
8 Comments
Labour voters name the politician they want to replace Keir Starmer
162 Comments
Sky News presenters stunned as Nigel Farage unleashes ‘political drive-by' attack
1 Comments
Nigel Farage erupts at fishing 'disaster' as he warns of Keir Starmer Brexit betrayal
368 Comments
The key sign that Keir Starmer's already accepted Reform have won crucial by-election
64 Comments
Lee Anderson issues blunt 2-word response after Tories dredge up old video
15 Comments
Labour tipped for disastrous defeat as party's poll numbers tank in key mayoral race
103 Comments
Bombshell poll warns Labour could sneak crunch by-election win despite Reform UK surge
167 Comments
Nigel Farage tipped to be 'big winner' in local elections in huge blow to Keir Starmer
112 Comments
Nearly half Reform supporters want merger with Conservatives
83 Comments
Desperate Lefties' new tactic to stop Nigel Farage's Reform storm at local elections
242 Comments
POLL: What issues matter the most to you in this local election?
Comments
POLL: Is Keir Starmer doing a good job at cutting migration to the UK?
77 Comments
Kemi Badenoch's latest election video reveals who she thinks the real enemy is
5 Comments
Boris Johnson comeback could be on cards to save Tories from themselves
123 Comments
Bombshell poll puts Nigel Farage's Reform even more in front as Labour support crashes
106 Comments
Nigel Farage must escape fate of elections being referendum on Donald Trump
37 Comments
Ed Miliband is the most divisive man in politics - he's tearing Labour apart AGAIN
298 Comments
Tories on course to lose 500 seats in election nightmare with Reform storming councils
91 Comments
Kemi Badenoch backs deal with Nigel Farage's Reform UK after local elections
66 Comments
GMB bias row as Ed Balls branded 'disgraceful' over furious Richard Tice clash
8 Comments
Labour voters name the politician they want to replace Keir Starmer
162 Comments
Sky News presenters stunned as Nigel Farage unleashes ‘political drive-by' attack
1 Comments
Nigel Farage erupts at fishing 'disaster' as he warns of Keir Starmer Brexit betrayal
368 Comments
The key sign that Keir Starmer's already accepted Reform have won crucial by-election
64 Comments
Lee Anderson issues blunt 2-word response after Tories dredge up old video
15 Comments
Labour tipped for disastrous defeat as party's poll numbers tank in key mayoral race
103 Comments
READ MORE: The key sign Starmer has already accepted Reform has won crucial by-election
'Can't stand the man... Buh-bye'
Karen Shore, the Labour candidate in the Runcorn & Helsby by-election, has the door slammed in her face while canvassing
The other main candidates are:
Sean Houlston (Conservative)
Paul Duffy (Lib Dem)
Chris Copeman (Green)
Sarah Pochin (Reform) pic.twitter.com/QY92ASJzQU
— ITVPolitics (@ITVNewsPolitics) April 29, 2025
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who quit after receiving a suspended prison sentence for assaulting a constituent.
Although Mr Amesbury secured a large majority at the General Election, recent polling suggests the race is now much tighter – with Labour facing a serious challenge from Reform UK.
Speaking to broadcasters this week, Sir Keir said: “It’s going to be tight, I know that, every vote will count and we are fighting for every vote.
“Most governments after a General Election face a tough set of local elections at the first opportunity afterwards, and of course, we’ve had to take tough but right decisions.”
Don't miss...
Full list of councils holding local elections and how to vote [INSIGHT]
One politician could be the big loser in May 1 local elections and Runcorn [ANALYSIS]
'Reform faces first true test and Nigel Farage will pass with flying colours' [PICTURES]
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
He insisted Labour had “a positive case to tell”, pointing to NHS investment and a higher minimum wage – while launching a sharp attack on Reform UK, accusing the party of wanting to privatise the NHS and having a “pro-Putin foreign policy”.
The Prime Minister’s comments have done little to stop growing concerns within Labour that its support may be soft in key areas.
The doorstep exchange in Runcorn will likely be seen by many as a symbol of disaffection among traditional Labour voters, with Reform and the Green Party both poised to capitalise.
Labour is not the only party under pressure. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has also acknowledged her party faces a “challenge”, with around half of Thursday’s local authority seats currently held by the Tories.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch is also under pressure (Image: Getty)
Trending
She has urged voters to focus on local issues, including roads and bins, and has accused Reform of misleading campaigning.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Kemi Badenoch's latest election video reveals who she thinks the real enemy is
5 Comments
Boris Johnson comeback could be on cards to save Tories from themselves
123 Comments
Bombshell poll puts Nigel Farage's Reform even more in front as Labour support crashes
106 Comments
Nigel Farage must escape fate of elections being referendum on Donald Trump
37 Comments
Ed Miliband is the most divisive man in politics - he's tearing Labour apart AGAIN
298 Comments
Tories on course to lose 500 seats in election nightmare with Reform storming councils
91 Comments
Kemi Badenoch backs deal with Nigel Farage's Reform UK after local elections
66 Comments
GMB bias row as Ed Balls branded 'disgraceful' over furious Richard Tice clash
8 Comments
Labour voters name the politician they want to replace Keir Starmer
162 Comments
Sky News presenters stunned as Nigel Farage unleashes ‘political drive-by' attack
1 Comments
Nigel Farage erupts at fishing 'disaster' as he warns of Keir Starmer Brexit betrayal
368 Comments
The key sign that Keir Starmer's already accepted Reform have won crucial by-election
64 Comments
Lee Anderson issues blunt 2-word response after Tories dredge up old video
15 Comments
Labour tipped for disastrous defeat as party's poll numbers tank in key mayoral race
103 Comments
Bombshell poll warns Labour could sneak crunch by-election win despite Reform UK surge
165 Comments
Nigel Farage tipped to be 'big winner' in local elections in huge blow to Keir Starmer
112 Comments
Nearly half Reform supporters want merger with Conservatives
83 Comments
Desperate Lefties' new tactic to stop Nigel Farage's Reform storm at local elections
242 Comments
POLL: What issues matter the most to you in this local election?
Comments
POLL: Is Keir Starmer doing a good job at cutting migration to the UK?
77 Comments
Kemi Badenoch's latest election video reveals who she thinks the real enemy is
5 Comments
Boris Johnson comeback could be on cards to save Tories from themselves
123 Comments
Bombshell poll puts Nigel Farage's Reform even more in front as Labour support crashes
106 Comments
Nigel Farage must escape fate of elections being referendum on Donald Trump
37 Comments
Ed Miliband is the most divisive man in politics - he's tearing Labour apart AGAIN
298 Comments
Tories on course to lose 500 seats in election nightmare with Reform storming councils
91 Comments
Kemi Badenoch backs deal with Nigel Farage's Reform UK after local elections
66 Comments
GMB bias row as Ed Balls branded 'disgraceful' over furious Richard Tice clash
8 Comments
Labour voters name the politician they want to replace Keir Starmer
162 Comments
Sky News presenters stunned as Nigel Farage unleashes ‘political drive-by' attack
1 Comments
Nigel Farage erupts at fishing 'disaster' as he warns of Keir Starmer Brexit betrayal
368 Comments
The key sign that Keir Starmer's already accepted Reform have won crucial by-election
64 Comments
Lee Anderson issues blunt 2-word response after Tories dredge up old video
15 Comments
Labour tipped for disastrous defeat as party's poll numbers tank in key mayoral race
103 Comments
Bombshell poll warns Labour could sneak crunch by-election win despite Reform UK surge
165 Comments
Nigel Farage tipped to be 'big winner' in local elections in huge blow to Keir Starmer
112 Comments
Nearly half Reform supporters want merger with Conservatives
83 Comments
Desperate Lefties' new tactic to stop Nigel Farage's Reform storm at local elections
242 Comments
POLL: What issues matter the most to you in this local election?
Comments
POLL: Is Keir Starmer doing a good job at cutting migration to the UK?
77 Comments
Kemi Badenoch's latest election video reveals who she thinks the real enemy is
5 Comments
Boris Johnson comeback could be on cards to save Tories from themselves
123 Comments
Bombshell poll puts Nigel Farage's Reform even more in front as Labour support crashes
106 Comments
Nigel Farage must escape fate of elections being referendum on Donald Trump
37 Comments
Ed Miliband is the most divisive man in politics - he's tearing Labour apart AGAIN
298 Comments
Tories on course to lose 500 seats in election nightmare with Reform storming councils
91 Comments
Kemi Badenoch backs deal with Nigel Farage's Reform UK after local elections
66 Comments
Meanwhile, the Government is said to be drawing up fresh immigration measures aimed at containing the threat posed by Reform and its leader Nigel Farage.
The Telegraph has reported plans to tighten regulation of immigration advisers, in a signal that ministers are preparing for a prolonged battle over immigration policy.
The Runcorn and Helsby result, expected late on Thursday night, will be watched closely by all parties as a bellwether for wider public sentiment just months into Labour’s new term in office.