Who is Sarah Pochin? Becomes First Reform MP in Northern England After Narrow Election Win

Sarah Pochin made history by winning the Runcorn and Helsby seat in one of the tightest races in UK election history. She won the seat for Reform UK by just six votes, defeating Labour candidate Karen Shore. The result was so close that one Reform supporter told Sky News the victory was “by a gnat’s knob.”

This win makes Pochin the first female MP for Reform UK and the first to represent a northern constituency. Reform now holds five seats in the House of Commons. The party had been focusing on Runcorn and Helsby after former Labour MP Mike Amesbury stepped down. Amesbury left the seat after admitting to punching a constituent, which caused a scandal.

Sarah Pochin’s Political Journey

Sarah Pochin has a diverse political background. She first entered politics in 2015 when she was elected as a Conservative councillor in Cheshire East. However, her time with the party was rocky. In 2020, she was expelled from the Conservative group after accepting a mayoral role offered by a Labour-Independent administration.

Later, she served as an Independent councillor for two years. But again, controversy followed when she took back Conservative membership in 2022. She did this to vote in the party’s leadership election after Boris Johnson resigned as Prime Minister. Because of that, she was removed from the Independent group too. She continued on the council until 2023.

Pochin has worked in the energy and chemical sectors and the DIY industry. She also served as a Justice of the Peace for 20 years, which she often highlighted during her campaign.

Her Personal Life

Sarah Pochin is married to Jonathan Pochin, a construction manager. He used to be the managing director of Pochin Construction Ltd., a family business. However, he left the company in December 2015. The firm later collapsed in August 2019. Jonathan told Cheshire Live that he was saddened by the news.

Key Policy Focus

Pochin has been vocal on issues that align with Reform UK’s national platform. She spoke against small boats and illegal immigration, especially people being housed in her constituency. On her Facebook page, she said she believes in the values of “family, community, and country.” She said she has dedicated her life to protecting these values.

She also supports rehabilitation for offenders. In an interview with PoliticsHome, she said she supports giving people second chances. She also mentioned her friendship with Lord Timpson, a Labour prison minister, which reflects her balanced approach.

Another key part of her campaign was standing up against harmful online influencers. She criticized Andrew Tate, calling him a “toxic person.” She mentioned that the Netflix show Adolescence had a strong impact on her views regarding social media and youth influence.

A Milestone for Reform UK

Sarah Pochin’s win is a big step for Reform UK. It proves that the party can win even in areas that were once Labour strongholds. With five MPs in Parliament now, the party is gaining more attention and influence.

Her win in Runcorn and Helsby shows how much the political landscape in the UK is changing. With her experience, mixed political history, and strong views, Sarah Pochin is expected to be a strong voice for Reform UK in the coming years.