'If him punching someone has changed people's views of Labour, they were looking for excuses' Residents of Runcorn and Helsby are set to go to the polls for a by-election in what is being seen as a close race between Reform UK and Labour Voters in Runcorn and Helsby are heading to the polls in May for the first by-election since Keir Starmer was elected (Image: Getty Images ) They're facing a by-election after a national scandal - but residents in Runcorn and Helsby have other things on their minds. It has been just six months since a video surfaced of the MP at the time, Labour's Mike Amesbury, punching a constituent while on a night out. Now, after he narrowly escaped jail time, constituents are set to go to the polls again on May 1 in what could be seen as a key night for Keir Starmer's party. ‌ Polling could be tight in the traditionally Labour corner of Cheshire - there are 15 candidates standing, but many expect it to be a two-horse race. Unlike in many places, where votes are split between Labour and Conservatives, Reform UK is expected to be Labour's main challenger here. Article continues below Residents in Runcorn and Helsby told the Manchester Evening News they felt 'let down' by Labour but that the election was far from tied up. Certain they will be voting Reform were Paul and Mary Egerton, 67. The couple said they wanted to 'stop the boats' and see more money put into Runcorn. Reform UK are expected to do well in Runcorn and Helsby (Image: Getty Images ) ‌ "You think how much people who already live here need things," Mary said. "You think how much money is going into keeping them [migrants] in hotels and things like that." The pair said they hadn't been put off voting Labour by Mike Amesbury's scandal, but rather by the party's policies on immigration. "I'm ex-forces and I'd like to see all our ex-service people off the streets," Paul added. ‌ Similarly unfazed by their former MP's antics were two pensioners who chose not to be named. Speaking to the M.E.N. while out shopping in Runcorn, they said they were 'shocked' by the number of candidates standing in the election, adding they wanted to see someone who really 'cared' about the area voted in. Both said they were currently undecided. "My dad always voted Labour, but I don't know," one said. "When pensioners are getting their pension stopped or winter fuel stopped, I don't agree with that. Not when MPs are not doing without." They both said their winter fuel payments had stopped, and said they could no longer claim for any help with fuel. ‌ "I think they're taking money off people who really need it," they added. "There's a lot of people in this community who really need it." Residents told the M.E.N. they were concerned about winter fuel payments stopping (Image: Getty Images ) Just around the corner, another woman told the M.E.N. she 'definitely' wouldn't be voting Labour. ‌ "I'm a pensioner and I'm one of the Waspi women, so we didn't get compensation and now I don't get my fuel payment," she said. "I worked with older people for 34 years and I think it's a terrible thing they have done." Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Reform UK are running on a 'law and order' platform, with candidate Sarah Pochin telling the BBC she wanted to campaign for 'more police' on streets and 'crack down' on anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. ‌ But not everyone in Runcorn has been won over by her policies. One woman said she had been 'bombarded' by leaflets over the last few weeks, and felt 'concerned' about the direction the area was heading in politically. "People have very strong views, but I couldn't believe some of the things that have been posted through my door," she said. "They're very inflammatory. It makes me feel concerned that people feel they can speak so openly like that." She said there were a 'surprising' amount of candidates in the area, but that she felt the real race was between Reform and Labour. Like other residents, she told the M.E.N. she thought Labour's national policies would sway the race more than Mike Amesbury's scandal. ‌ "I think the things that Keir Starmer does will have more impact on people's opinion of Labour than Mike, to be honest," she said. "I think for some people it humanised him a little bit. People make mistakes and he has held his hands up and he's been punished. Mike Amesbury was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, after punching a constituent in Frodsham (Image: Getty Images ) "I think if that has changed people's views of Labour, those people were looking for excuses." ‌ Reform UK are pushing hard in the area. A short drive away, at Runcorn Shopping City, the party has set up an office. Inside, volunteers and staff rush around, stacking leaflets and welcoming in any passers-by wanting to talk. Sat a few feet away, a group of women meeting for a coffee told the M.E.N. they felt unsure about trusting any of the candidates running for election. "We feel let down by Labour," one said. "Everything has gone to pot in this place. Everything they put up they put in Widnes. They closed our cinema but they didn't close the one in Widnes. We used to enjoy going there. ‌ "There's no bus - you can get to Widnes but then you have to cross two main roads, and you could get a taxi but that costs money. "We don't matter anymore." Sarah Pochin is running for Reform UK (Image: Getty Images ) ‌ They added the cuts to winter fuel payments had coloured their views of Labour, but that there were 'a lot of people struggling' and they wanted to see someone make life better for 'ordinary people'. Each said they had not yet decided who to vote for. "I'm watching the pennies all the time," they added. "We want someone who will make things easier." 'I think Labour are going to struggle' Nine miles south of Runcorn, residents in the village of Helsby will also be balloted on May 1. Here, there is a different sense of who they want to top the polls - but concern that a vote for anyone but Labour will split the vote. ‌ Dianne, owner of local business JTO Vintage and The Old Bank Tea Rooms, said her 'only concern' was if Reform won. "I feel like if Reform get in I'm going to have some badge made or something made so I can walk around and say that's not my vote," she told the M.E.N. "But I think Labour are going to struggle to retain the seat." She added there has been a lot of debate in the area about the election, saying she had removed herself from some of the local Facebook groups due to the nature of some posts from Reform UK voters. ‌ "They're supposed to be about things like local artisan markets but you open up your phone and see posts about immigrants. I'll go back on them when they're nice local news." Rather than being split between Reform and Labour, Dianne said residents in the area had a diverse array of views. "The Green Party are quite big here, and there's a really great independent running," she said. "But I'm worried that voting for anyone but Labour spread votes out and give Reform more chance." She said she felt Mike Amesbury was well-respected in the area, but that Labour's policies have allowed votes for Reform to creep in. ‌ "He has done damage, of course he has, but I think a lot of people Labour or not felt he was genuinely a really good local politician," she said. "I think Labour has done it's own damage, backtracking on policies and cutting the winter fuel payments, on top of what Mike has done." She added she was concerned the number of candidates standing could 'water down' votes away from Reform, giving them the majority. "We've got the Green Party, who are strong in this area, we've got a local Green councillor. We've also got a fantastic local chap standing, Alan McKie, who for me, like Mike Amesbury, would be the only candidate who knows the area and knows the businesses. ‌ "He really has the local best interest at heart. But my concern is these people getting a few votes waters it down and we'll get Reform in." JTO Vintage & The Old Bank Tea Rooms In 2024, Runcorn and Helsby saw a 59.7 per cent turnout, with Labour winning 14,696 votes. But one Helsby resident said it would be 'interesting' to see how Mike Amesbury's scandal would change turnout. Article continues below "It would have been a safe seat," she said. "The Labour party knocked on my door the other day and told me that if I didn't want Reform, I should vote Labour. Is that a manifesto? "I think for a lot of people it is going to be tactical voting. But there's 70,000 constituents in our constituency. Helsby is 4,900, Frodsham is probably around 10,000, and the rest is Runcorn. So it will be whatever Runcorn wants."