Reform UK’s Toby McKenzie and Lib Dem candidate Josie Ratcliffe react to South West Norfolk general election

A Reform candidate has a “long term plan” in place after taking confidence from the nearly 10,000 votes he received at last week’s general election.

Toby McKenzie placed third in the South West Norfolk results with 9,958 votes, behind only new Labour MP Terry Jermy (11,847) and Liz Truss (11,217).

Mr McKenzie said he was very happy with the result considering it was his first time on the ballot - and believes it shows there is “a real hunger for change out there”.

His votes, along with those for independent candidate James Bagge, likely tipped the scales in favour of Mr Jermy’s victory as they detracted from Ms Truss’ numbers.

“Reform will grow its infrastructure to support things for the next election so there will be lots to do to prepare for the next election,” Mr McKenzie told the Lynn News.

“I will be hoping to stay on. No seats have been agreed as yet as the party is assessing/reflecting on what happened from all our feedback.

“I have many supporters still wanting to stay in contact and be actively engaged which shows how determined we are. We have a long term plan and I'm very hopeful for the future.”

Meanwhile, the constituency’s Liberal Democrat candidate Josie Ratcliffe - who received 2,618 votes - will now return to focusing on her work with West Norfolk Council following the election.

“I am hugely grateful to these friends and all my volunteers for supporting my general election campaign, and I was honoured to receive thousands of votes,” she said.

“I didn't win so I will continue to support Downham residents as a councillor in the team running our borough council.”

Lorraine Douglas, the Communist Party of Britain’s candidate for South West Norfolk who received 77 votes, added: “While I would have been thrilled to get more votes I was not expecting to win.

“Our reason for standing was to provide the people of South West Norfolk with an alternative set of policies to those being pushed by the main parties. We were, I think, effective in this and identified several issues that I will be following up once I'm back from my holiday.

“I was delighted that Ms Truss lost her seat given the damage her policies did to the country, and I am sure Terry Jermy will be a principled advocate for the people of South West Norfolk.

“While the defeat of the Tory government is good news for Britain, I am under no illusions that Starmer's government will make the changes necessary to restore the living standards of the British people.

“I will be working to develop a united front of progressive groups throughout Norfolk to ensure we continue to pressurise the Government to govern in the interests of the majority, not just big business and finance capital.

“I'd also like to thank everyone who voted for me.”