Henry Zeffman on what comes next after Reform UK win in Runcorn

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

So a recap of what's happened in Runcorn and Helsby this evening and this morning.

A full recount has been confirmed. This is after some papers were rechecked earlier.

Sources from parties said there were just four votes in it.

The counting team, the gathered press and the candidates and their teams are going to be here in the DCBL Stadium for a fair bit longer now.

It's also worth noting that we still haven't seen the Labour and Reform candidates here. And there was talk of Nigel Farage arriving too, but again, we've not seen him.

As for me, I've decamped to the press room to open my emergency Skittles. Election nights always require some extra snacks as you never know what could happen!

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

Here at the Runcorn and Helsby count in Widnes, the returning officer has called over the candidates and agents again - he said there’s a couple of doubtful votes they want to verify.

Still no estimate on the declaration time here.

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

Here in Widnes, where the count for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election is taking place, the returning officer has just called all candidates and agents over.

Are we nearly there?

But we don’t have the Labour and Reform candidates here yet…

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

Image source, BBC / Kaleigh Watterson

We’re hearing Reform leader Nigel Farage may be on his way, so much of the press pack has moved to the front entrance, while the rest of us wait near the declaration stage.

It doesn’t look like there’s much counting going on at the moment.

Still no sign of either the Labour or Reform candidates.

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

We’re being told that a result may be not too far off in the by-election in Runcorn and Helsby.

The media are waiting. We’ve no steer yet - and Labour sources are not commenting on their feelings.

But looking at the piles, it looks very close between Labour and Reform.

Reform UK party staff here are suddenly active.

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

Image source, Kaleigh Watterson / BBC

Another candidate has arrived here at the Runcorn and Helsby count - and a party leader at that.

It’s Howling Laud Hope of the Monster Raving Loony Party. His puppet Archie also has his own accreditation to be here.

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

We've got some candidates here at the DCBL Stadium for the Runcorn and Helsby count.

I've spotted the Conservative, Green and Liberal Democrat candidates, as well as some of those from the smaller parties and an independent, too.

We've also got Samantha Dixon, the Labour MP for Chester North and Neston, here with some of the Labour campaigners and staff.

And if you're wondering what journalists chat about - other than the count, of course - one of the big talking points has been the sauna in the ladies' toilets. A radiator appears to be upside down in there, too.

Not long now until the result, we hope...

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

For some, this by-election is as almost a referendum on Labour’s leadership since taking power at the general election just under a year ago.

But many here have been thinking about local issues.

BBC Radio Merseyside held a debate with candidates, where listeners contacted us about things like Runcorn’s 1970s centre Shopping City and the increased toll charges across the town’s two bridges.

And of course, it’s not just the town of Runcorn - 60% of this constituency is rural and there’s also smaller towns and villages, such as Frodsham and Helsby.

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

Here at tonight's count at the DCBL Stadium, there's a huge amount of media here covering this by-election.

TV cameras, photographers and both local and national journalists are all here, waiting to see what happens once the counting begins.

Halton Council have put some snacks on for us - and provided two rooms for the media to use, showing just how much interest there is in this corner of Cheshire this evening.

If you want to know what a reporter brings to a count, I've got a big bottle of water, a can of cola, a sandwich, some grapes and some sweets to keep me fuelled overnight.

And a fun fact for you: this count isn't actually taking place in the constituency. We're in the neighbouring constituency of Widnes and Halewood.

Image source, PA Media

Kaleigh Watterson
Reporting from Widnes

This by-election follows the resignation of the former MP Mike Amesbury, following an assault conviction.

CCTV footage emerged at the end of last year showing him punching a man to the ground - and continuing to hit him. He was suspended by Labour and then sat as an independent MP.

In February he was given a prison sentence which was suspended on appeal, although he did spend three nights in prison.

He resigned shortly after - although if he hadn’t, his constituents could have asked for his removal through a process called a recall petition.

Reform's newest MP Sarah Pochin promises to give a voice to all of the people of Runcorn and Helsby.

Two boys and a 18-year-old woman were attacked by the dog in a garden in Knowsley.

Liverpool Council has endorsed plans to extend parking charges in the city centre.

Results are due for 23 councils across England, six mayoral contests and a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby.

Paul Burnell
Live reporter

While we wait for the result in Runcorn - not expected until at least 03:00 BST - a quick history lesson.

It's more than 60 years since a Labour government lost a by-election within a year of winning office in a general election.

The party lost Leyton in 1965 when Foreign Secretary Patrick Gordon Walker was parachuted into the "safe seat", following the elevation of sitting MP Reginald Sorensen to the Lords.

The plan backfired when Tory candidate Ronald Buxton won the seat, pipping Gordon Walker by just over 200 votes.

As Prof Jon Tonge from the University of Liverpool points out, the party still won in the 1966 general election - with Gordon Walker winning the seat back.

The poll was prompted after the incumbent MP was sentenced for assaulting a constituent.

RNLI crews spotted the women while responding to a call about stranded walkers.

The charges relate to a group that allegedly made calls reporting bogus life-threatening incidents

Michael Leppert's family say the 63-year-old was a "much-loved son, dad and very devoted grandad".