Not only did Spencer win, but she won well, significantly outperforming the expectations of the polls. Rather than winning narrowly, the party won 40.7%, enough to put them as much as 12 points ahead of second placed Reform. It represented as much as a 27.5 point increase on the party's share in 2024. Labour, who had not hitherto lost an election in the area since 1931, fell into third place. The party's 25.4% of the vote represented a near halving of their 50.8% of the vote in 2024 and the 13th biggest ever fall in the party's support in a by-election. Meanwhile, the Conservatives lost their deposit with just 1.9% of the vote, their worst ever by-election result.

Hannah Al-Othman • @hannahalothman.bsky.social Speaking to journalists, Matt Goodwin says Reform were beaten by "a coalition of Islamists and woke progressives that came together to dominate the constituency." He says "I don't think the progressives beat us, I think the progressives were told how to vote. 04:21 • 27 Feb 2026 6 Everybody can reply

Not only did Spencer win, but she won well, significantly outperforming the expectations of the polls. Rather than winning narrowly, the party won 40.7%, enough to put them as much as 12 points ahead of second placed Reform. It represented as much as a 27.5 point increase on the party's share in 2024. Labour, who had not hitherto lost an election in the area since 1931, fell into third place. The party's 25.4% of the vote represented a near halving of their 50.8% of the vote in 2024 and the 13th biggest ever fall in the party's support in a by-election. Meanwhile, the Conservatives lost their deposit with just 1.9% of the vote, their worst ever by-election result.