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Reform UK has stormed to yet another by-election triumph just a week away from crunch local polls. County councils across the country are holding votes next Thursday, with ballots also taking place in London and for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments.

But in the Tenbury ward for Malvern Hills District Council on Thursday, Reform snapped up a previously safe Conservative seat by taking a jaw-dropping 45% of the vote. The Tory and Green share of the vote plummeted by 7% and 8.6% respectively, with Labour not even fielding a candidate for the April 30 poll. Reform home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf welcomed the news, posting on X: "Another big win for Reform! Taking another previously 'safe' Tory seat.

"Straight in at 45%. Don't believe the fake polls."

National polls have suggested that Reform's lead over the Tories and Labour has narrowed in recent weeks, but Mr Yusuf doubts support for his party has slumped.

A national YouGov poll conducted on April 26 and 27 puts Reform on 26%, with the Tories on 19%, Labour on 18%, the Greens on 15% and Liberal Democrats on 13%.

A seat projection shows that would give Mr Farage's party 296 MPs compared to 88 for Labour, 71 for the Tories and 77 for the Lib Dems.

That would make Reform by far the largest party and cause a political earthquake, but still short of an overall parliamentary majority.

Reform's standing has soared since the 2024 General Election, just as Sir Keir Starmer's popularity has plummeted to record lows amid a series of scandals and controversial policies.

Over the past year, Mr Farage's party has gained 68 seats in council by-elections, by far more than any of its opponents.

Labour, by contrast, has lost 54 seats in by-elections as rumours swirl over Sir Keir's leadership.