Sarah Pochin’s Remarkable Journey: From Local Councillor to Reform UK’s Groundbreaking MP
Historic Victory in Runcorn and Helsby
Sarah Pochin has made history by winning the 2025 Runcorn and Helsby by-election for Reform UK, defeating Labour Party candidate Karen Shore by just 6 votes – the narrowest parliamentary by-election majority in modern British history. The by-election was triggered following Mike Amesbury’s resignation as MP due to an assault conviction.
This victory is particularly significant as it occurred during a broader surge in Reform UK support in local elections across the country, which were seen as a key test of the Starmer government’s popularity. The win has made Pochin both the first non-Labour MP elected in Runcorn in over fifty years and Reform UK’s first female MP.
Political Journey and Background
A resident of Cheshire for approximately 30 years, Pochin’s professional background includes roles at major companies such as Shell International, Caradon Plc, and Heywood Williams Plc. She also served as a Magistrate in the Chester and Crewe courts for 20 years.
Her political career began with the Conservative Party, where she represented the Willaston and Rope ward after winning the seat in the 2015 Cheshire East Council election. She later won the Bunbury ward in 2019. A significant turning point came in 2020 when she accepted the position of Mayor of Cheshire East from the Labour-Independent administration, leading to her suspension and subsequent expulsion from the Conservative Group.
Recent Controversies and Challenges
In her new role as MP, Pochin has already faced controversy. In July 2025, she reported ‘disturbing incidents’ in her constituency, but these claims were challenged by residents who called the reports ‘untrue,’ with some accusing her of ‘scaremongering and hate-stirring.’ The local police confirmed they had received no such reports.
Despite these challenges, Pochin’s victory represents a significant milestone for Reform UK, making her the party’s fifth MP and marking a notable shift in the political landscape of the region.
