Reform UK has held the Failsworth West council seat in Oldham, seeing off a strong challenge from Labour in a by-election that saw the Labour vote share double.
The by-election was triggered after former Oldham Reform leader Mark Wilkinson stood down as councillor citing health issues. Hundreds of voters went to the polls on Thursday, with the result announced on November 12.
Reform holds on despite Labour surge
Reform's Chris Baddeley was elected with 41.5 percent of the vote, compared to Labour's 38.8 percent and Restore Britain's 11 percent. This was a much closer result than the May 2026 election, when Reform took 56 percent of the vote against Labour's 17 percent.
Labour's 21-point surge was not enough to regain the seat, which Reform won easily in May. The race was seen as a key test for Reform after two changes in leadership in recent months, resignations and suspensions, and criticism on social media from some party supporters.
Candidate promises to solve residents' problems
Speaking after the result, Councillor Baddeley said: "I'm feeling very happy but I wouldn't have got here without the councillors that have been helping me and the other helpers that have been helping doing the canvassing and the leafleting. This is where the hard work starts."
According to Reform, Councillor Baddeley has lived in Failsworth almost all of his life and was previously involved with the Failsworth Street Patrol and served as a Royal British Legion standard bearer. He campaigned on tackling anti-social behaviour, fixing potholes, improving neighbourhood safety, and giving people a stronger voice in the council chamber.
He said he was 'very grateful' to those that voted for him and 'now it's down to me to do my best and see how we go', telling the Manchester Evening News: "We are here to solve the problems or try and find solutions for problems the residents have."
Labour sees hope and faith restored
Despite the closer result with Labour, he pointed out by-elections typically see lower turnout and the vote was not a reflection on his party's performance.
For Labour, the party was hoping more public support and Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister might offer a boost locally. According to Politico's Poll of Polls, Labour's support has surged 12 percent since May and taken the lead nationally while Reform's share has dipped around 4 percent.
Labour also won the ward in the by-election to replace Mr Burnham as Greater Manchester Mayor in July. Despite losing the council by-election, Oldham Labour's leader Arooj Shah said the result was still a success for her party and there was 'a complete change of atmosphere' on the doorstep.
She said: "There was so much enthusiasm for the Labour group when we came out door knocking. We did three to four sessions a day.
"We leafletted and people really spoke and it's obvious they've got their hope and faith back in Labour. I think that has got a lot to do with Andy Burnham but also [candidate] Pete [Davis] and his record in the area has really paid off.
"This used to be a comfortable seat for Labour and we lost profoundly in May so for us it is a success. Those conversations on the doorstep, I can only go off them and they tell us people have got hope and faith back."
