Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has expressed satisfaction with his party’s campaign in Colchester, despite failing to secure a victory in last month’s by-election. Speaking after the result, Farage described the campaign as “very, very well-run” and commended the efforts of local candidate James Child. He highlighted that the contest took place in one of Labour’s safest wards, adding that Reform’s showing had been “pretty blooming well” given the circumstances.
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Labour’s Richard Bourne won the seat with 800 votes, succeeding Pam Cox, while the Liberal Democrats’ Chantelle Whyborn finished second with 657. Reform UK, represented by Child, came a close third with 600 votes. Farage admitted the Liberal Democrats’ slight lead was frustrating but insisted the outcome reflected a “strong performance”. Since May, Reform UK has gained 41 out of 103 council by-elections across England, taking seats from both Labour and the Conservatives, according to an analysis by the Local Government Chronicle.
Candidate James Child acknowledged his disappointment at the result but said the campaign had been valuable for the party’s growth in Colchester. “We’ve raised our profile as Reform UK, grown our membership, and learnt a lot for the next election,” he told the Gazette. Nationally, Reform UK has made steady progress, gaining control of ten councils and securing 677 seats following the latest local elections in England.
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Meanwhile, elections in Essex and eight other regions were delayed due to devolution proposals, a move that angered the Clacton MP. Farage criticised Essex County Council’s decision, arguing it undermines democratic participation. “No one cancelled elections during the reorganisation of the 1970s,” he said. “If Reform wins, it simply means voters and taxpayers have expressed a different point of view — and that should be respected.”
