Nigel Farage rejoiced as Reform UK won three council seats in England last night, hailing one result as "epic". The party claimed by-election gains in Essex's Frinton ward last night, with Anne Davis becoming a new councillor for Tendring District Council and Fiona Ann Knowles winning the Frinton and Walton Town Council seat.

A Reform UK councillor has downplayed Zia Yusuf's departure from the party, insisting the exit was not the result of significant conflict. The ex-Reform UK Chairman sensationally quit on Thursday, claiming that working with the party is "no longer a good use of my time".