Will Nigel Farage and Reform UK kill off the Tories? Don’t be so ridiculous | Simon Jenkins

History proves byelections to be futile polls on leaders. If I were Farage, I would apply for the Tory whip and capture the party from within

The Runcorn and Helsby byelection belongs in the rubbish bin of politics. British byelections are charades, mock polls, playtime for pundits. They reduce normally sensible analysts to hysterics. That most pragmatic of prime ministers, Harold Wilson, refused point blank to comment on them.

Yes, Reform’s Nigel Farage had a field day. He is the latest jester to...