Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch

A senior Labour minister has accused the Tories of “gifting” a crunch by-election to Reform UK.

In an exclusive interview with HuffPost UK, Ellie Reeves said the Conservatives had stopped campaigning in Runcorn and Helsby.

Voters in in the seat will go to the polls on Thursday after the previous Labour MP, Mike Amesbury, quit after being convicted of punching a constituent.

Despite Labour holding the seat with a majority of nearly 15,000, bookies have made Reform UK odds-on favourites to win it in what would be a major blow for Keir Starmer.

With less than 72 hours to go until the polls open, minister without portfolio Reeves accused the Tories of leaving the way clear for Nigel Farage’s party.

She said: “The Tories aren’t doing anything. [Tory MP]........

© HuffPost