Story perspectives

Reform UK Secures Key By-Election Wins Ahead of 2026

12/12/2025

Summary

Story summary

Reform UK won the Whitburn and Blackburn by-election in Scotland, with David McLennan, a Reform UK candidate, receiving 1,177 votes and beating the SNP by 149.
The victory is seen as a pivotal moment for Reform UK ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections.
Nigel Farage hailed the win as unexpected and significant.
Lord Offord defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK, adding political weight and experience.
Reform UK also won in Lincolnshire and Durham, bringing the total by-election wins this week to four.

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Story summary

Reform UK won the Whitburn and Blackburn by-election in Scotland, with David McLennan, a Reform UK candidate, receiving 1,177 votes and beating the SNP by 149.
The victory is seen as a pivotal moment for Reform UK ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections.
Nigel Farage hailed the win as unexpected and significant.
Lord Offord defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK, adding political weight and experience.
Reform UK also won in Lincolnshire and Durham, bringing the total by-election wins this week to four.