Reform UK has marked an historic by-election result after claiming its first council seat in Scotland.
Candidate David McLennan won the Whitburn and Blackburn by-election at West Lothian Council after bagging 1,177 of the votes.
The Party’s Scotland branch described it as a “momentous day”, adding: “Reform is coming.”
The by-election victory marks a potentially defining moment for Reform ahead of the Holyrood elections in 2026.
And it comes just days after Mr Farage announced a surprise defection from the Conservatives while speaking in Scotland.
Lord Offord of Garvel became the first member of the House of Lords to join Reform as he revealed his departure from the Tories.
Nigel Farage declared the by-election win a ‘fantastic victory’ for his party
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He brings extensive political experience to the party, having served as Minister of State for Scotland between 2021 and 2024.
Lord Offord was also Minister of State for Exports between 2023 and 2024 and was Treasurer of the Scottish Conservatives.
Welcoming the former Tory peer, Mr Farage said: “I am delighted to welcome Malcolm to Reform.
“This is a brave and historic act. He will take Reform UK Scotland to a new level,” the Clacton MP declared.
Reform added three more by-election wins to its record this week. GB News breaks down the full results below.
South Kesteven – Lincolnshire
Reform marked a double victory in Lincolnshire, taking hold of two seats on South Kesteven District Council.
This includes in the Belmont ward, where the resignation of Independent councillor Phil Gadd left a vacant seat.
And it was Reform candidate Richard Litchfield who 239 votes in a tight race with the Conservatives, who followed closely behind with 237 votes.
The picture was similar in the Aveland ward where Reform took a Tory seat, with winning candidate Kyle Abel taking home 290 votes.
Reform candidate Kyle Abel was elected was elected in the Aveland ward
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FACEBOOK/KYLE ABEL
Red Hall and Lingfield – Darlington
Reform also saw success in Durham, where a seat was up for grabs on Darlington Borough Council after Labour councillor Amanda Riley stood down from her post.
Mr Farage’s party stormed ahead, with candidate Michael Walker bagging 37.7 per cent of the votes.
Labour meanwhile fell in distant fourth place, with 16.8 per cent of votes.
Reform celebrated a total four victories in this weeks by-elections
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FACEBOOK/REFORM UK
Stockton-on-Tees – Durham
The Tories successfully defended their seat on Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in Country Durham on the Eaglescliffe West ward.
Conservative candidate John Dodds was comfortably in first place with 60.9 per cent of votes, while Reform came in spot number two with 24 per cent of votes.
It was the Greens in third place with 7.6 per cent of votes, while Labour came in last with 7.5 per cent.
more updates to follow..
Lichfield – Staffordshire
It was another Conservative win on Lichfield City Council in the Armitage & Handsacre ward, where the party again fended off candidates to keep hold of its seat.
Winning candidate Martyn Punyer secured 46.7 per cent of votes, while Reform UK followed behind with 31.9 per cent.
Labour meanwhile came in third, with a smaller share of the votes at 9.4 per cent, while Lib Dems came in fourth with 7.3 per cent and Greens in last place with 4.7 per cent.
Reacting to his win, Mr Punyer said: “I’m very pleased to announce that I won!
“Thank you to everybody who voted for me and all the amazing volunteers who helped. The hard work starts now.”
Martyn Punyer said thank you to the ‘amazing volunteers’ who helped with his campaign as he marked his victory
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FACEBOOK/MARTYN PUNYER