Reform name candidate for by-election

Sarah Pochin was previously a councillor in Cheshire, representing both the Conservative party and the Independent group

Reform UK have chosen their candidate for the upcoming Runcorn and Helsby by-election.

Sarah Pochin, a former Cheshire East councillor, will stand for the party at the election, which is expected to take place on 1 May.

She said the party stood for "family, community and country," and she had "dedicated her life" to upholding those values.

The by-election has been triggered by the resignation of Mike Amesbury, following him receiving a suspended prison sentence for assault.

Sarah Pochin was a councillor for the Cheshire East authority from 2015 until 2023, and was mayor of the council from 2021 to 2022.

She was first elected as a councillor for the Conservatives, before being expelled by the party in 2020, after a row over her nomination as mayor.

She later joined the authority's Independent group, but was suspended for rejoining the national Conservative party, ahead of the leadership election.

Ms Pochin, who has worked for companies in the energy and chemicals sector as well as the DIY industry, also spent 20 years as a Justice of the Peace.

At the 2024 general election, Reform came second with 18.1% of the vote share.

Labour won with 52.9% and the Conservatives came third with 16%.

Labour, the Conservatives, the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats and the Workers Party have all announced their candidates for the election.

• Runcorn and Helsby by-election - full list of candidates