Reform UK Wins Runcorn & Helsby, Stirring the Local Political Waters
When the May local elections rolled in, the seat that had long stood as a Labour stronghold swung dramatically toward Reform UK. The new MP, Sarah Pochin, stepped onto the scene with a crisp focus on a number of pressing local issues.
What the MP Said
- “Immigration is massive here.” – She described Runcorn as “a dumping ground for illegal immigrants,” pointing out the straining effect on community safety.
- “We’ve had the Derby Hotel. We’ve got houses and multiple occupancy—it’s a big issue.” – Pochin highlighted how the influx of temporary housing has created pockets of tension.
- “People feel unsafe on certain streets.” – She called out the grim reality that not all residents feel secure in their own neighborhoods.
- “Cost of living is going up.” – She noted the rising expenses and stressed the lack of affordable public amenities.
- No leisure centre, no cinema – families are forced to travel an extra mile for entertainment. Pochin vowed to look into creating more local leisure facilities.
- “There’s a lot of work to do here and it’s long overdue that someone stood up for the people of Runcorn and Helsby.” – A pledge to become the voice for the locals.
Labour’s Own Mix‑up
Marrying the mood, a Labour MP from the neighboring Alloa and Grangemouth area chimed in on X, calling out the party’s direction. He said:
- “Runcorn shows Labour must change course.” – The suggestion was that the current lack of tangible improvement is hurting the party’s prospects.
- “People voted for real change last July & an end to austerity.” – He warned that the first ten months haven’t delivered the promised roll‑out of better living standards.
- He added a warning, “Fail to improve, the next government could be an extreme right‑wing one.” – A stark reminder that the stakes are high.
With a home‑grown politician calling local plight to the forefront, Reform UK has carved out a fresh narrative in the Runcorn & Helsby corridor – one that vows to smash bureaucracy, give back the streets and bring back the sense of safety for the community.
