LONDON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Labour's narrow by-election defeat to the right-wing Reform UK party in Runcorn and Helsby as "disappointing," but said his government would push "further and faster" on delivering change.
Reform UK won the by-election by just six votes as Sarah Pochin overturned Labour's large majority to become Reform's fifth MP. The by-election was called following the resignation of Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who was convicted of assaulting a constituent.
Starmer told Sky News on Friday the result shows "we must deliver change more quickly and go even further."
The by-election and local elections across England on Thursday mark the first major test for political parties since last year's general election. The government's controversial decisions to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners and disability benefits are believed to have had affected the results.
Starmer defended his administration's approach, saying the budget decisions were necessary to stabilize what he called a "broken economy" inherited from the previous government.
In wider local election results, Reform UK made significant gains, winning control of county councils in Durham, Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire, as well as securing its first mayoral victory in Greater Lincolnshire.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has sought to capitalize on the party's growing momentum and has openly stated his ambition to replace the Conservatives as the main opposition party.
Founded in 2018 as the Brexit Party, Reform rebranded after the UK's departure from the European Union in early 2020. It has gained support with its hardline positions on immigration and opposition to the costs of net-zero policies.
Vote counting continues for more than 1,600 council seats in England, with most results expected later Friday. ■
