In a historic turn of events, Reform UK has shaken up the political landscape, with Lincolnshire becoming the epicenter of this political revolution.
On May 2, 2025, Dame Andrea Jenkyns emerged as the new mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, making waves as she secured a commanding victory over the Conservatives, marking a significant shift in local politics.
A Glimmering Victory for Reform UK
Dame Andrea, clad in an eye-catching, Abba-inspired sequined jumpsuit in Reform blue, garnered an overwhelming majority of 40,000 votes, putting the Conservatives far behind.
The focus of Reform’s campaign centered on key issues like immigration control, efficiency in local government, and proposals for cutting waste with a British “DOGE” program aimed at reducing town hall inefficiency.
The victory not only stunned political observers but also sent a strong message about the public’s frustration with traditional parties.
In other parts of the country, such as North Tyneside and Doncaster, Reform UK saw impressive performances, cutting down Labour’s majorities significantly.
The party was also just a hair’s breadth away from securing a mayoral seat in North Tyneside, losing by a mere 444 votes, while in Doncaster, Labour held off Reform by just 698 votes.
The Tories, meanwhile, lagged behind in third place as right-wing parties together captured 57% of the vote.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns Speaks of a New Political Era
Upon her victory, Dame Andrea delivered a powerful speech, proclaiming that the end of “soft touch Britain” had arrived.
“The fightback to save the heart and soul of our great country has now begun,” she declared.
She went on to promise that Reform UK would gradually restore Britain to its former glory, inch by inch.
She emphasized the party’s firm stance on illegal migration, stating that tents—similar to those used in France—should be a viable solution for housing migrants in the UK instead of hotels.
Farage Claims Reform UK is Now the Opposition to Labour
Reform UK’s leader, Nigel Farage, declared with confidence that his party had now become the primary opposition to Labour.
“The Tories are a waste of space,” he stated, further asserting that Reform UK’s message was resonating across the nation.
Farage’s comments were made following a narrow victory for Reform in the Runcorn & Helsby by-election, where they secured the seat by a mere six votes.
This marked a historic shift as it was the narrowest by-election win in modern British history, with Labour holding the seat just nine months ago.
In the Runcorn by-election, Sarah Pochin, the victorious candidate, told the public that this outcome was a message to both Labour and the Tories: “Enough is enough.”
She pointed out the widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo, further highlighting the frustration with the failures of both major parties.
National Impact and Political Shift
As the results from the local elections rolled in, it became clear that Reform UK’s success was not limited to a few isolated areas.
Farage’s party showed strong support across England, especially in traditional Tory strongholds.
Polling expert Sir John Curtice commented that the results validated the idea that Reform UK was indeed posing a significant challenge to both Conservative and Labour dominance.
He added that Reform’s performance, with more evenly spread support, was making them a formidable force at the local level.
Farage expressed his delight with the party’s remarkable night, noting that Reform UK had secured gains across various regions.
He specifically pointed out the party’s victories in Staffordshire and its potential to make further inroads in other counties like County Durham.
The Future of Reform UK
As the dust settled on this monumental day, Reform UK leaders, including Farage and Jenkyns, were already eyeing the next political challenges ahead.
Farage hinted at a possible coalition between the Tories and Reform UK in Northumberland, where both parties made notable gains.
Reform UK’s message was clear: they were here to challenge the political establishment and lead the way in reshaping British politics.
With national polling showing Reform UK neck-and-neck with both the Conservatives and Labour, the party has firmly established itself as a new political force to be reckoned with.
As Farage summed up, “We are now the opposition party in the UK to Labour, and the Tories are a waste of space.”
The message is loud and clear: Reform UK is here to stay, and the political landscape in Britain is changing rapidly.