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Reform wins East Markham by-election amid Jenrick defection

By Drooid · Oct 1, 2026, 12:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Robert Jenrick left the Conservative Party to join the Reform Party, sparking mixed local reactions.
Reform won the East Markham by-election on September 15 with 49.6% of the vote, a 44% swing from the Tories.
Jenrick, Reform’s Treasury spokesman, proposed cutting the welfare bill by £50 billion, affecting Personal Independence Payment recipients.
Voters warned that £72 million in crypto-billionaire donations and benefit cuts could favor the rich.

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Story summary

Robert Jenrick left the Conservative Party to join the Reform Party, sparking mixed local reactions.
Reform won the East Markham by-election on September 15 with 49.6% of the vote, a 44% swing from the Tories.
Jenrick, Reform’s Treasury spokesman, proposed cutting the welfare bill by £50 billion, affecting Personal Independence Payment recipients.
Voters warned that £72 million in crypto-billionaire donations and benefit cuts could favor the rich.