Reform UK has wrested a seat on Wolverhampton council from Labor in a by-election sparked by the death of a councillor.

Sue Roberts MBE was elected in Bilston North in 2023, but tributes came after her death was announced in August.

On Thursday, UK Reform candidate Anita Stanley won 652 votes, almost 200 more than Labour, who narrowly beat the Greens.

The conservatives obtained 257 votes.

Reform UK president Zia Yusuf described the result as a “shocking victory” and one that showed that no Labor seat was safe, while adding that the Conservatives were falling “even further behind”.

“Reform is rapidly opening local branches and gathering their campaign capabilities on the ground,” he said.

“Come the English provincial council elections in May, Reform will be a formidable electoral force.”