Labour has suffered another bruising election defeat after Reform UK seized a council seat in a former stronghold, handing Prime Minister Andy Burnham an embarrassing setback. Reform overturned Labour’s hold on Worksop East in Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire, with candidate Nancy Wright taking 600 votes to secure victory.

Labour’s Cameron Holt was pushed into second place with 485 votes, giving Reform a majority of 115. The result represents a major reversal for Labour, which comfortably won all three seats in the ward at the previous district council elections in May 2023. According to figures published by Election Maps UK, Labour’s share of the vote was down 34.4 percentage points compared with the previous election in 2023.

However, the comparison comes with an important caveat. Worksop East was a three-seat ward in 2023, meaning voters could cast up to three votes, whereas Thursday’s contest was a single-seat by-election. The figures therefore do not represent a straightforward like-for-like comparison of Labour’s support.

Nevertheless, Reform secured 45.9% of the vote, against Labour’s 37.1%, giving the party a clear victory in the contest.

Restore Britain’s Anne Froggatt finished third with 7%, while Conservative candidate Ben Storey managed just 6.8%.

The Green Party’s Anne Kean came fifth with 3.2%.

The result will be an unwelcome development for Mr Burnham, who succeeded Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister in July and has been seeking to rebuild Labour’s political fortunes.

Reform’s victory demonstrates the party’s continuing ability to make significant inroads into areas which have traditionally returned Labour councillors.

The scale of the turnaround is particularly striking given Labour’s performance in 2023, when Jo White, Cliff Entwistle and Debbie Merryweather were all elected to represent Worksop East.

Ms White secured 824 votes, Mr Entwistle 805 and Ms Merryweather 770.

The by-election was triggered by Ms White’s resignation from Bassetlaw District Council after she took advice from senior officials about a potential conflict between her responsibilities as a Home Office minister and her council role.

She said at the time: “My ministerial responsibilities can, at times, overlap with the work of local government, creating the risk of potential conflicts of interest between the two roles.

“I believe stepping down is the right decision.”

A total of 1,304 ballot papers were issued in Thursday’s by-election, with turnout recorded at 27.82%.

The result adds to the pressure on Labour as Reform continues to challenge the party’s support in communities across England.

Humiliation for Andy Burnham as Labour Vote Nosedives 34% in Election Hammering by Reform

The Labour Party has suffered another significant electoral setback after Reform UK won a council by-election in Worksop East, Nottinghamshire, delivering an unwelcome blow to Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The result has raised fresh questions about Labour’s declining popularity and its ability to maintain support among traditional working-class voters. Reform UK’s candidate, Nancy Wright, secured victory with 600 votes, defeating Labour candidate Cameron Holt, who received 485 votes. The result represents a major change in a ward that Labour had previously dominated. According to figures published by Election Maps UK, Labour’s vote share fell by 34.4 percentage points compared with the previous election in 2023. For Burnham, who has been attempting to rebuild Labour’s political reputation, the defeat highlights the difficulties facing his government as Nigel Farage’s party continues to challenge the established political order.

The by-election took place in Worksop East, a ward within the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire. Reform UK secured 45.9 per cent of the vote, while Labour finished second with 37.1 per cent. Restore Britain received approximately 7 per cent, the Conservatives secured 6.8 per cent and the Green Party received 3.2 per cent. The difference between Reform and Labour was 115 votes, demonstrating that the contest was competitive despite Reform’s clear victory.

What makes the result particularly significant is Labour’s previous performance in the area. At the May 2023 district council elections, Labour won all three available seats in Worksop East. Its candidates received 824, 805 and 770 votes respectively. The latest by-election therefore represents a substantial change in the political balance of the ward.

However, the comparison requires some caution. In 2023, Worksop East was a three-member ward, meaning voters could cast up to three votes. The latest contest was a single-seat by-election. Consequently, the reported 34.4-percentage-point decline should not be interpreted as a perfectly comparable measurement of Labour’s electoral support. Nevertheless, Reform’s victory and Labour’s second-place finish provide clear evidence of a changing political situation in the constituency.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Labour councillor Jo White, who also holds a ministerial position at the Home Office. She explained that her responsibilities in central government could overlap with her work in local government, creating potential conflicts of interest. She therefore decided that resigning from the council was the appropriate course of action.

For Andy Burnham, the result comes at a politically sensitive time. Since becoming Prime Minister in July 2026, he has attempted to restore public confidence in Labour and establish a clearer direction for the government. His political strategy has focused on economic recovery, public services, closer relations with European countries and rebuilding support among voters who have become dissatisfied with traditional political parties.

Nevertheless, the result in Worksop East suggests that these efforts have not yet translated into consistent support everywhere. Many working-class communities have experienced years of economic uncertainty, rising living costs and concerns about the availability of affordable housing. Voters who previously supported Labour may now be considering alternative parties because they feel that their concerns have not been adequately addressed.

Nigel Farage has repeatedly attempted to attract these voters by presenting Reform UK as an alternative to the political establishment. His party has concentrated on immigration control, reducing taxation, national sovereignty and dissatisfaction with government institutions. Reform argues that Britain needs a fundamental change in political priorities and that traditional parties have failed to respond effectively to public concerns.

Immigration remains one of the most important issues in Reform UK’s political strategy. Farage has argued that the government needs stronger border controls and a more effective system for removing people who have no legal right to remain in Britain. His message has attracted support from voters concerned about illegal migration, the use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers and pressure on public services.

However, Labour has rejected many of Reform’s proposals, arguing that immigration policy must remain consistent with Britain’s legal and humanitarian obligations. The government has emphasised the importance of tackling illegal migration through stronger enforcement, international cooperation and more efficient asylum procedures. The disagreement demonstrates how immigration continues to divide British politics.

Economic pressures also play an important role in Labour’s difficulties. Although the government has promised to improve living standards, many households continue to face high housing costs, energy bills and everyday expenses. Public dissatisfaction may increase when voters feel that political promises have not produced visible improvements in their communities.

Reform UK’s growing presence also creates difficulties for the Conservative Party. Farage has successfully attracted voters who previously supported the Conservatives, particularly those who prioritise immigration control and national sovereignty. The traditional Conservative electoral coalition has therefore become increasingly fragmented, while Labour faces competition from both Reform on the right and the Green Party on the left.

Another interesting aspect of the Worksop East result is the performance of smaller political parties. Restore Britain received 7 per cent of the vote, demonstrating that Reform UK is not the only movement attempting to attract voters dissatisfied with established political organisations. The Greens and Conservatives also contested the election, although neither secured a significant share of the vote. This reflects a wider transformation in British politics, where voters are increasingly willing to consider alternatives to the traditional two-party system.

Despite Reform’s victory, it would be premature to conclude that Labour has lost support uniformly across the country. By-elections are often influenced by local circumstances, candidate popularity, turnout and specific community concerns. In Worksop East, turnout was approximately 27.82 per cent, meaning that the result reflects the preferences of those who participated rather than the entire electorate. Furthermore, one local election cannot establish the likely outcome of a future general election.

In my opinion, the most important message from this result is that political parties cannot take their traditional supporters for granted. Labour must understand why some voters are becoming attracted to Reform UK and whether its policies adequately address their economic and social concerns. Simply criticising Farage or dismissing his supporters will not resolve the underlying problems.

At the same time, Reform UK must demonstrate that it can translate electoral success into effective local government. Winning council seats creates responsibilities towards residents, including maintaining public services, managing budgets and addressing practical community problems. Political popularity alone does not guarantee successful administration.

Burnham also faces the challenge of balancing national leadership with the expectations of Labour’s traditional supporters. His government will need to demonstrate progress on housing, healthcare, employment and economic growth if it hopes to restore confidence. Voters generally judge governments not only by their political statements but also by whether their everyday lives improve.

In conclusion, Reform UK’s victory in Worksop East represents another important development in Britain’s changing political landscape. Nancy Wright’s 600 votes were enough to defeat Labour’s Cameron Holt and secure a majority of 115. The reported 34.4-percentage-point decline in Labour’s vote share compared with 2023 has attracted particular attention, although differences in the electoral system mean that the comparison must be treated carefully. For Andy Burnham, the result highlights the continuing difficulties of rebuilding Labour’s support, while Nigel Farage can point to another breakthrough in a traditionally Labour-held area. Ultimately, the election demonstrates that British politics is becoming increasingly competitive and that established parties must respond to the changing priorities of voters. Whether Labour can regain support will depend on its ability to deliver practical improvements, rebuild public trust and address the concerns of communities across the country.