Nigel Farage's Reform UK surges in vote across Merseyside

Nigel Farage's Reform UK party put in a strong general election showing across Merseyside - finishing second in the majority of seats in the region in what opponents have branded a "wake-up call."

The party, which campaigns strongly against immigration, put in good performances in both St Helens North and St Helens South and Whiston, finishing a clear second to Labour in both seats.

Mr Farage's party also came in second place in the Labour strongholds of Knowsley and Bootle, finishing ahead of the Lib Dems, Greens and Conservatives.

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Over in Wirral, there was another second placed finish in Wallasey and a third place in Birkenhead.

In Southport, where the Lib Dems have a strong track record of holding the seat, they were pushed back into fourth place, behind Labour, the Conservatives and Reform.

And in a move that may surprise some in the traditionally left-wing city of Liverpool, the right-wing party also claimed second placed finishes in three city seats - Liverpool Garston, Liverpool West Derby and Liverpool Walton.

While these were all distant second placed finishes, it means that just short of 81,000 people across the region voted for the party.

These numbers have caused concern amongst some in Merseyside and in Liverpool in particular.

On social media site X, one user said: "Reform polling these numbers in Liverpool isn't something to take lightly."

Jake Hagan said: "As much as I am glad the Tories are out, I am actually so disappointed that Reform came second in most Liverpool constituencies." Another voter said the results in the region should be a "real wake-up call."

Across the country Reform experienced a breakthrough election. Party leader Nigel Farage won his seat in Clacton, one of four his team took home across the country as they took advantage of the collapsing Conservative vote.

In a speech after his victory was announced, Farage warned the Labour Party that he would be coming for them next.

But Mr Farage will have been hoping for a better return in terms of seats, with the exit poll predicting Reform could have finished on a total of 13 - rather than the four they have ended up with.

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