Reform UK Wins Fifth Seat in Parliament with Narrow 98-Vote Victory in South Basildon and East Thurrock, Essex

Jul 5, 2024, 04:23 PM

Reform UK has secured its fifth seat in Parliament following a recount in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency in Essex. James McMurdock, the Reform candidate, won the seat by a narrow margin of 98 votes. This victory marks a significant gain for Reform UK, overturning a previous Tory majority of nearly 20,000 votes. The recount was demanded by Labour after an initial declaration showed McMurdock ahead by 127 votes. Reform UK received 30.8% of the vote, Labour 30.5%, and the Conservatives 25.7%. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, received the news live, signaling a notable shift in the political landscape.