The Reform Party has secured another council seat after a major win in a by-election, giving Nigel Farage a fresh boost. Britain Elects shared the results of the Arun District Council Marine ward by-election on X, confirming Reform UK gained the seat from an Independent.

Reform candidate Giuliano Pinnelli won 26% of the vote, just edging out Liberal Democrat Paul Wells, who polled 25.2 %. Labour's Alison Terry came third with 20.1%, followed by Conservative Diana Thas with 16.3 %, Green Party candidate John Erskine on 9.8 %, and Independent Phil Woodall on 2.6 %.

The seat had previously been held by popular Independent councillor Jim Brooks, who passed away earlier this year.

His personal vote had kept the seat independent for years, but Reform's victory now shifts the balance.

The ward, located in Bognor Regis, has a large Eastern European community and a high number of private renters compared to the rest of the South-East.

According to a preview of the by-election by Andrew Teale on his Substack blog, it had long been considered a working-class stronghold.

Reform UK's win adds to recent momentum for the party.

Nigel Farage recently claimed that Reform has gained more council seats in by-elections since Kemi Badenoch became the Conservative leader than any other party.

However, according to fact-checkers at Full Fact, while Reform has seen the largest net gain of seats, more individual seats have actually changed hands to the Conservatives.

Labour has also won more seats overall during the same period.

Full Fact said: "Reform UK saw the largest net gain in seats, but overall, more seats changed hands to the Conservatives than to Reform UK. Meanwhile, Labour won the most seats overall."

Nonetheless, Reform's by-election gains show growing support for Farage's party.

Turnout for the Arun Marine by-election was low, estimated at around 25%.