Discontent in Runcorn grows over the continued use of Daresbury Park hotel for asylum seekers, fueling criticism of Labour’s broken promises and propelling the Reform Party’s unexpected electoral gains.
Runcorn Residents Voicing Discontent Over Asylum Seekers and Political Promises
In Runcorn, Cheshire, discontent among local residents has reached a boiling point regarding the ongoing use of the Daresbury Park hotel as accommodation for asylum seekers. Once a vibrant luxury hotel, it has now become a symbol of Labour’s failure to uphold promises amidst a backdrop of increased crime and dwindling access to essential services.
Despite Labour’s pre-election vows to close the hotel, it remains operational, prompting residents to accuse the party of breaking promises for electoral gain. The newly elected MP has voiced concerns, questioning Labour’s commitment to change. She stated, “The people of Runcorn and Helsby have been let down so often by Labour…” echoing the deep skepticism of locals who feel sidelined while their living conditions deteriorate. Many residents argue that resources for housing, healthcare, and employment opportunities have dwindled as a result of the asylum seeker accommodation.
As frustrations mount, reports of rising crime and limited healthcare access fill the community’s narratives. Peter Robinson, a 65-year-old retired dockworker, highlighted the dire situation, stating, “You can’t get a doctor’s appointment, you can’t get a dentist appointment… There are war veterans who are homeless on the streets. They’re the ones who should be in a hotel.” This sentiment underscores a growing belief that public funds are being misallocated towards accommodating asylum seekers instead of addressing the needs of British citizens.
The Daresbury Park hotel has been housing migrants since 2020, a government initiative that has only fueled tensions around the UK’s immigration policy. It has drawn protests from frustrated locals and far-right activists alike, who highlight the ongoing grievances associated with increased immigration.
The political landscape is shifting dramatically, with a recent election marking a critical turning point as a Reform candidate narrowly won Runcorn’s parliamentary seat—an extraordinary change for what was once a Labour stronghold. With Labour’s support dwindling, the Reform party is clearly capitalizing on deep-rooted sentiments regarding migration and local governance.
Residents’ growing discontent is clear, with the Reform party’s emergence as a formidable challenger to Labour and Conservatives. Nigel Farage has articulated the recent electoral outcomes as a pivotal moment for traditional parties, indicating that the Reform party is now fundamental in reshaping British political discourse.
Jeana Louise, a resident who has turned from Labour to support Reform, captures the community’s desperation for change, lamenting, “The hotel has been used for asylum seekers for years now… People are fed up that nothing gets done.” This prevailing sentiment illustrates the anxiety surrounding the impact of national policies on local living conditions and the exigent realities facing everyday voters.
As discussions concerning immigration and public housing persist, the fate of Daresbury Park hotel hangs in the balance. The Reform party’s recent electoral successes resonate with residents’ frustrations, signaling a potential resurgence of right-leaning politics as established parties grapple with increasingly challenging dynamics. The intersection of local concerns and national policies will undoubtedly shape future political landscapes, heralding calls for meaningful change among constituents in Runcorn and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14684223/Neighbours-migrant-hotel-Runcorn-election-Labour.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/nigel-farages-reform-uk-party-narrowly-wins-runcorn-parliamentary-seat-2025-05-02/ – Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party achieved a significant political milestone by narrowly winning a parliamentary seat in Runcorn and Helsby, northwest England. In a historic by-election, Reform candidate Sarah Pochin defeated the Labour Party’s candidate by just six votes—the smallest margin ever recorded in a UK parliamentary by-election. This result is particularly notable given that Runcorn and Helsby had previously been considered a safe Labour stronghold, with Labour securing over half the votes in the constituency during the preceding national election. The tightly contested victory marks a significant shift in voter sentiment and signals potential challenges for the Labour Party in future elections. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/nigel-farages-reform-uk-party-narrowly-wins-runcorn-parliamentary-seat-2025-05-02/?utm_source=openai))
- https://elpais.com/internacional/2025-05-02/la-derecha-populista-de-farage-propina-un-duro-golpe-al-gobierno-laborista-en-las-elecciones-locales-de-inglaterra.html – Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has dealt a significant blow to traditional British parties, especially the Conservative and Labour parties, in England’s local elections. The party secured its fifth parliamentary seat in Runcorn & Helsby, a constituency that Labour had dominated just ten months ago. Additionally, Reform UK won 677 local council seats, nearly matching the losses of the Conservatives, and achieved its first mayoralty in Greater Lincolnshire. These results reflect a significant shift in the British political landscape, with a notable rise of populist right-wing politics. ([elpais.com](https://elpais.com/internacional/2025-05-02/la-derecha-populista-de-farage-propina-un-duro-golpe-al-gobierno-laborista-en-las-elecciones-locales-de-inglaterra.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.ft.com/content/593e8e6c-8d08-47a5-8550-9920cc7a211a – Labour narrowly lost the Runcorn by-election by just six votes, marking the closest by-election outcome in over a century. While Labour managed to secure narrow victories in the West of England and Doncaster mayoral races, the Reform UK party made significant gains, including winning the Greater Lincolnshire mayoralty and poised to take control of Staffordshire County Council. The Conservatives faced losses, whereas the Liberal Democrats and Greens have yet to make substantial impact, with more results expected later. The Runcorn vote share revealed a dramatic rise for Reform (+20.2%) and a notable drop for Labour (-14.7%). This outcome reflects a growing fragmentation in UK politics, intensified by the first-past-the-post system amid diminishing effectiveness of traditional two-party dynamics. The long-term trend towards multiparty politics and Labour’s cautious governance suggest enduring challenges for the ruling party. Internal critiques highlight Labour’s indecisive strategy and risk of alienating all sides. Meanwhile, commentators see potential in Reform’s rise and further question Labour’s ability to consolidate power. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/593e8e6c-8d08-47a5-8550-9920cc7a211a?utm_source=openai))
- https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2025/05/02/la-ultraderecha-arrebata-a-los-laboristas-el-unico-escaño-en-juego-en-las-elecciones-municipales-britanicas-cadena-ser/ – In the recent UK by-elections, the far-right populist party Reform, led by Nigel Farage, managed to take the only seat at stake from the Labour Party in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency. Reform’s candidate, Sarah Pochin, won by a mere six votes, securing 12,645 votes against Labour’s Karen Shore, who received 12,639 votes. This narrow victory represents a significant blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in his first electoral test since assuming office. Reform increased its support by 20.6% compared to 2024, while both Labour and the Conservatives saw declines. Farage declared that his party is now the true opposition. The election was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who was convicted of assault. Additionally, six mayoralties and over 1,600 councilors were elected nationwide, with the Labour Party maintaining three major mayoralties and Reform winning Greater Lincolnshire. The counting of votes continues for other local positions. ([cadenaser.com](https://cadenaser.com/nacional/2025/05/02/la-ultraderecha-arrebata-a-los-laboristas-el-unico-escano-en-juego-en-las-elecciones-municipales-britanicas-cadena-ser/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.ft.com/content/59d13a6a-af51-4abf-8116-2e8f163a92a8 – Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party have significantly reshaped the British political landscape following major gains in recent elections. Reform UK won a pivotal by-election in Runcorn & Helsby—a traditionally safe Labour seat—with a 17% swing, and outpaced all other parties in local council seat wins. The results have triggered alarm for both Labour and the Conservatives. Labour, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is under pressure to shift toward “Blue Labour” populist policies, especially on migration and social issues, to counter Reform’s rise. Starmer has already adjusted his tone on trans rights, patriotism, and foreign aid. Conservatives, led by Kemi Badenoch, face a deeper crisis, with Reform becoming the primary opposition force in parts of England. In several areas, including the mayoral race in Greater Lincolnshire, Reform candidates beat Tories decisively. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats are gaining in the south and west, threatening traditional Conservative strongholds. Overall, Farage’s populist momentum puts both mainstream parties under intense scrutiny, with Reform poised to become a lasting force in British politics. ([ft.com](https://www.ft.com/content/59d13a6a-af51-4abf-8116-2e8f163a92a8?utm_source=openai))
- https://apnews.com/article/33fa773d553d022c6af527656e54ac21 – In the latest UK local elections, Nigel Farage’s hard-right Reform UK party achieved substantial gains, signaling a challenge to the traditional dominance of the Labour and Conservative parties. Reform UK won a Westminster seat in Runcorn and Helsby by a narrow margin, taking it from Labour following a scandal-related resignation. The party also secured over 600 local council seats and gained control in conservative heartlands such as Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, and Durham. This marks a significant expansion from the previous national election where Reform held just 14% of the vote. Farage described the results as a turning point in British politics, hinting at the decline of long-established two-party dynamics. The Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced a sobering rebuff, with public discontent over economic stagnation and welfare cuts. The Conservatives suffered even heavier losses, and leader Kemi Badenoch acknowledged ongoing voter distrust. The centrist Liberal Democrats also made gains in southern England, appealing to socially liberal voters. Political analyst John Curtice noted these results reflect a fragmentation of British politics, with Reform now seen as a major threat to both leading parties. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/33fa773d553d022c6af527656e54ac21?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative references ongoing issues and a recent election, but specific dates for key events are not always provided. The story’s central premise, regarding the hotel’s use since 2020 and recent electoral changes, suggests ongoing relevance, but some content may be recycled from earlier coverage, as similar themes and quotes often appear in prior reporting on immigration controversies in Runcorn.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes are attributed to identifiable residents and the newly elected MP. While the quotes appear in other articles on the topic, the narrative attributes them to real individuals and events, and no earlier published source for these exact quotes could be found in a cursory search. This could indicate original reporting or local sourcing.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a mainstream but often polarising UK outlet known for its tabloid style. While its reach is wide, its editorial standards and factual reliability are sometimes questioned by fact-checkers, though not enough to dismiss its reporting outright. The exactness of local details and attribution in the story suggests a reasonable level of reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about rising crime, limited healthcare access, and local discontent are plausible and align with trends reported in other media. While some assertions (e.g., allocation of public funds) are harder to independently verify, the narrative’s core points are consistent with known local and national debates.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative reflects credible local concerns and recent political shifts in Runcorn. While elements may be recycled from previous coverage, the quotes and circumstances described are plausible and generally well-attributed. Further verification of specific details and the context of recent electoral changes would be needed for a definitive assessment.
