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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Josh Halliday and Ben Quinn

‘They really are all horrible’: political anger marks Reform UK’s Runcorn win

Runcorn Reform Nigel Farage Reform UK Andrea Jenkyns Sarah Pochin DOGE
Nigel Farage celebrates with Sarah Pochin: he has one arm raised as people take photos. She is smiling beside him and wears a large pale blue and white rosette on her collar.
Sarah Pochin, right, becomes the first non-Labour MP elected by Runcorn in more than 50 years. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The boss, as aides call him, was on his way. It was 2.30am and Nigel Farage had arrived at a Cheshire leisure centre, ready to declare victory in the closely-fought Runcorn and Helsby byelection.

But as camera crews gathered, Reform UK officials who were ready to welcome their leader frantically scrambled back to the ballot boxes. The result, it seemed, was too close to call.

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