According to polls, Reform UK could make inroads into the Tory vote in Blackpool's Westminster by-election as well as in mayoral and local elections.

The party's best chance for making headlines this week is the Blackpool South by-election, but they are also leading in mayoral races in Brexit heartlands, such as the north east.

While Labour is the frontrunner to regain Blackpool South, the battle for second place could be crucial for Rishi Sunak's future.

Damage to the Tories could also be inflicted in other mayoral contests where Reform UK is ahead of the Conservatives but behind Labour and the incumbent mayor of North Tyneside.

Reform UK, a new political party, is gaining ground in the Greater Manchester mayoral race and council elections, according to polling data from More in Common.

Reform UK's Dan Barker, who recently defected from the Conservatives, is currently at 12% in the mayoral race, behind Labour's Andy Burnham but ahead of the Tories.

Jim Blagden, an associate director at More in Common, noted that Reform UK's success is more a result of the Conservatives performing poorly than Reform doing exceptionally well.

The party is fielding between 300 and 400 local election candidates in an effort to prepare for the general election.

Blagden, an analyst, expressed that the locals, a new political party, will be a measure of their credibility compared to Ukip and the Brexit party.

However, focus groups have had minimal mentions of Reform, possibly due to their relatively new status and inadequate ground operation.