Overview

• Mike Amesbury, convicted of assaulting a constituent, described the fallout as feeling 'buried alive' and expressed deep regret for his actions.
• His resignation in March triggered a by-election in Runcorn and Helsby, which Reform UK won by just six votes, taking the seat from Labour.
• Amesbury criticized Labour's winter fuel cuts, attributing the by-election loss and broader electoral struggles to controversial policy decisions.
• He urged Labour backbenchers to pressure leadership to reconsider key policies, warning of further political consequences if voter concerns are ignored.
• Reform UK's victory in a traditionally safe Labour seat highlights growing discontent among the party's core electorate.