Reform UK's new MP takes seat in House of Commons after by-election success in Runcorn and Helsby
Sarah Pochin, the new MP for Runcorn and Helsby taking her place in the House of Commons.
Reform UK 's newest and only female MP has taken her seat in the House of Commons after her by-election success over Labour.
Sarah Pochin, the new member of parliament for Runcorn and Helsby in Cheshire, was flanked by party leader Nigel Farage and chief whip Lee Anderson as she arrived in the Commons.
She then took an oath of allegiance to the Crown, which all MPs are required to do before they can take their seat in the Houses of Parliament.
Opening health questions, Health Secretary Wes Streeting welcomed Ms Pochin to the House. He said: 'Despite my best efforts, can I welcome the member for Runcorn and Helsby to her place?
'Being a Member of Parliament is a privilege, and I know how special it is to sit on these benches having been sent here by constituents and, regardless of political differences, wish her well personally.'
In one of the closest parliamentary contests ever, Ms Pochin became the MP for Runcorn and Helsby after she defeated the Labour candidate by just six votes.
Labour had won with a majority of almost 14,700 less than a year ago but a by-election was triggered when former MP Mike Amesbury quit after admitting punching a constituent.
Mr Amesbury has said he's 'disappointed' but 'not surprised' by Reform's by-election victory adding that Labour's backbenchers should urge leaders to 'think again' on key issues.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Amesbury, who was first jailed and later given a suspended prison sentence after admitting the assault said he had never punched anyone before the incident in October.
Amesbury said he was 'really disappointed' by the result but he was 'not surprised'.
'I want this government to succeed but if they carry on making political mistakes, winter fuel's an obvious one, but coming down the line is the personal independence payments", he said.
'I would say, listen people on those backbenches, that this is now the time to say, you know, you're not being disloyal.
'But say, 'look, come on now', to the leadership. 'Just think again on this. If we're serious about having two terms of a Labour government and transforming this country for the better, we've got to listen to the electorate and do the right thing.''
He said: 'Reform have been the beneficiaries, really, of some big political mistakes from the Labour government, and I sincerely hope that Keir (Starmer), the Labour Prime Minister and the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, not only listen, but learn and respond.'
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