Nigel Farage’s Reform Party has won a fifth seat in the House of Commons following a series of recounts in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency (electoral district). Previously held by the Conservatives, the seat came down to a battle between Reform and the Labour Party, which demanded a full recount after alleging mistakes in the initial counts handing victory to Reform.
Farage says Reform’s candidate in the constituency, James McMurdock, was a so-called “paper candidate, drafted in at the last minute” to fight the snap election, called by now-former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on short notice.
The “former City boy” joins Farage, party chairman Richard Tice, former Conservative Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson, and former Brexit Party representative Rupert Lowe to become what Farage describes as a “bridgehead” for Reform ahead of the next general election, which must take place by 2029.
“This is a bridgehead in the Parliament with many millions behind us,” Farage said to Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, shortly after his own election win.
“It’s not just what we do in Parliament that matters. I intend to build a mass movement around the country. Rallies, mass membership, getting ready to fight elections at local level, waiting for special elections to come up in Parliament. There is an energy behind this like you can’t believe,” he added.
Reform wins South Basildon and East Thurrock! 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/76rQGYveal
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) July 5, 2024