'This will be forgotten!' Reform eyes by-election victory to bury Rupert Lowe row as Labour poised for defeat (0.024330900243309004)
<iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.gbnews.com/res/scraper/embed/?video_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm-v2.simplestream.com%2Fiframe%2Fplayer.php%3Fkey%3D3Li3Nt2Qs8Ct3Xq9Fi5Uy0Mb2Bj0Qs%26player%3DGB003%26uvid%3D52809099%26type%3Dvod%26viously_id%3DrptZmRK6O31" width="100%"></iframe><br/><p class="">Reform UK hopes a win at the looming Runcorn and Helsby by-election will put the Rupert Lowe row to bed, GB News can reveal. </p><p>It comes as the party attempts to reframe the narrative following the MP for Great Yarmouth's shock suspension from the party last Friday over allegations of bullying and making verbal threats of violence to the chairman, which the 63-year-old strenuously denies.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>The ensuing row between Lowe and party leader Nigel Farage has raised serious questions over the party's electoral prospects as they prepare to contest the safe Labour seat of Runcorn and Helsby. </p><p>A by-election was triggered earlier this week after Mike Amesbury, who won the seat by a comfortable 14,696 votes at the General Election, announced that he would quit the Commons after punching a constituent. <br/></p><h3></h3><br><img alt="Nigel Farage (left), polling projection chart (right)" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e5eae1fa858ed0f5e353f255d3b9428a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="a85d2" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/nigel-farage-left-polling-projection-chart-right.png?id=57376826&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><p>The by-election represented Reform's first real test before the recent infighting raised the stakes. </p><p>According to Reform's former head of communications Gawain Towler, the by-election is now being viewed as a chance to turn the page on all the negative publicity.</p><p><span>"It's not out of the question at all and it will be bloody hard work,</span> but <span>if we manage to nick Runcorn, all of this will be forgotten," he told GB News. </span></p><p>The party campaigner added: "The train will move on."</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-dontmiss"></div><p>Given the stakes, Reform will be breathing a sigh of relief at polling released on Friday, which puts the party in pole position in the upcoming by-election despite the recent infighting. </p><p>Lord Ashcroft Polls puts Nigel Farage's party ahead of Labour by 40 per cent to 35 per cent when respondents are weighted on their likelihood to vote, with the Tories third on 10 per cent.</p><p>However, when the polls include only those who say they are certain to vote, the Reform lead rises to nine points in a 22 per cent swing since July.</p><p>The local May elections also offer Reform a chance to reclaim the narrative.</p><h3></h3><br/><p><strong>LATEST MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENTS<br/></strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/politics/reform-uk-nigel-farage-rupert-lowe" target="_self"><strong>'Noses will be put out of joint': Farage's ex-advisor delivers frank verdict on Rupert Lowe row as Reform regroups</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/politics/labour-party-keir-starmer-ukraine-security" target="_self"><strong>EXPOSED: Labour's three dangerous blind spots turning UK into a 'second-tier' country - bombshell report</strong></a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/opinion/reform-uk-rupert-lowe-nigel-farage-zia-yusuf" target="_self"><strong>Zia Yusuf is a massive credit to Reform UK and the attacks on him say more about his critics - Gary Mond</strong></a></li></ul><h3></h3><br><img alt="Runcorn bu-election poll" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="36d6fdbf9588f8439ba862bf0314becb" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="ac59f" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/runcorn-bu-election-poll.jpg?id=57376796&width=980"/><h3></h3><br/><p>As Towler explains, the party needs to "knuckle down" and "refocus", adding: "We need to deliver on the solid promises made to branches that they should have some authority over their own existence. We must make the branches feel that they're loved, because they are putting the hard work in on the ground in all these constituencies, all the areas of the local council."</p><p>Farage's ex-advisor says the Rupert Lowe row has been regrettable, adding that such setbacks are par for the course as the party professionalises. </p><p><span style="background-color: initial;">"As we look to grow, it's not been fun at all for anybody,</span> <span style="background-color: initial;">not for those who are the protagonists nor for those who are watching. </span><span style="background-color: initial;">But the prize of changing our country for the better is there," he told GB News. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: initial;"><span>Towler continued: "To get there, we need to realise that we are not just responsible for our own actions,</span> <span>but we're responsible for the hopes of millions. </span><span>That's a bigger picture we must all remember."</span></span></p></br></br>
