Sarah Pochin, now the Reform UK Member of Parliament for Runcorn and Helsby, has emerged as one of the most controversial and polarising figures in British politics. Her journey into public life spans a career in law, turbulent years in local government, and a dramatic ascent to Parliament that has sparked national headlines. Known for her blunt rhetoric and deeply traditionalist views, Pochin’s rise through the ranks of Reform UK reflects both the populist party’s growing reach and the cultural rifts defining UK politics today.
Early life and career before politics
Born and raised in Cheshire, Sarah Pochin was educated locally and later qualified as a solicitor. She built a career in the legal sector before being appointed as a magistrate. Her background in law helped define her later political positions, especially her firm views on law and order, personal responsibility, and social cohesion.
However, her time on the bench did not come without controversy. In 2020, Pochin was formally reprimanded by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) for comments she made during a court hearing. The JCIO found that her conduct had fallen short of the standards expected of someone in judicial office, though details of the incident were not made public in full.
The reprimand received limited media coverage at the time, but when Pochin later became a Reform UK candidate, the story resurfaced. Nigel Farage, then leader of Reform UK, defended Pochin, calling the reprimand “another example of the establishment punishing people for telling the truth” and accusing the JCIO of political bias. The remarks became emblematic of Reform UK’s combative stance toward institutions they see as overly politically correct or captured by progressive ideologies.
Local Government and the 2017 General Election
Sarah Pochin entered frontline politics as a Cheshire East Councillor, representing Bunbury ward. Elected as a Conservative, she initially aligned with the party’s centre-right platform but quickly became known for her independence of thought and willingness to challenge local leadership.
In 2017, she was selected as the Conservative candidate for the Crewe and Nantwich constituency in the snap general election called by Theresa May. The seat, a Labour marginal, was a key target for the Tories. Pochin ran a spirited campaign but ultimately lost to Labour’s Laura Smith by a narrow margin. Despite the defeat, she was praised locally for her straight-talking approach and strong work ethic.
Mayor of Cheshire East and Conflict with Conservatives
After the 2017 election, Pochin returned to local government and became embroiled in a high-profile dispute with her Conservative colleagues on Cheshire East Council. In 2019, she was elected Mayor of Cheshire East, a largely ceremonial role, but one that caused friction within her party.
Several Conservative councillors opposed her mayoralty, accusing her of grandstanding and of not toeing the party line. Pochin eventually left the Conservative group, becoming an independent councillor. She cited a toxic internal culture and an unwillingness to challenge mismanagement.
In one particularly heated council session, she condemned what she described as “cronyism and cowardice” in local politics — remarks that gained attention beyond Cheshire and positioned her as a maverick voice.
Reform UK and the Runcorn and Helsby By-Election
In March 2025, Sarah Pochin was announced as Reform UK’s candidate for the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, triggered by the resignation of the sitting Labour MP under ethics scrutiny. Her selection was immediately controversial: critics highlighted her past reprimand and combative style, while supporters hailed her as a “brave truth-teller” unafraid of political correctness.
The by-election was held on 1 May 2025, and Pochin won the seat, shocking both the Labour Party and the Conservatives. Her victory was credited in part to growing disillusionment with mainstream parties in the North West and her ability to channel grassroots anger over issues such as immigration, gender policy, and the cost of living.
Maiden Speech in the House of Commons
Pochin delivered her maiden speech in the House of Commons on 13 May 2025. In a typically forthright address, she spoke of a “silent majority” of British citizens, “ignored by a political class obsessed with fringe issues.” She attacked what she called the “institutionalised self-loathing” in government departments and urged Parliament to prioritise British values, economic growth, and border control.
Her speech was praised by Reform UK colleagues and widely circulated on social media, but drew rebuke from Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs who accused her of peddling division.
Burka Ban Proposal
On 4 June 2025, Pochin proposed one of her most controversial policies to date: a national ban on face coverings in public, specifically targeting the burka. She described the garment as “a symbol of religious segregation and gender suppression,” calling for its prohibition on grounds of security and cultural cohesion.
Civil liberties groups, Muslim organisations, and opposition MPs condemned the proposal as discriminatory and inflammatory. Yet, Pochin doubled down in subsequent interviews, arguing that “we need to reclaim our public spaces and stop appeasing extremism under the guise of tolerance.”
Nigel Farage backed her, saying Reform UK would “open a national conversation” on the burka and similar cultural practices. However, the controversy deepened divisions between Reform UK and mainstream parties, with the government ruling out support for any such ban.
Role in Zia Yusuf’s Resignation
Pochin’s remarks were quickly followed by the resignation of former Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf. A resignation that was rescided a few days later. Pochin’s influence behind the scenes also extended to internal party politics. Following increasing tensions between Zia Yusuf — then a rising star in Reform UK and tipped for leadership — and more traditionalist factions, Pochin reportedly played a key role in pressing for Yusuf’s resignation.
Party insiders claimed she had privately raised concerns about Yusuf’s liberal economic views and his discomfort with certain cultural policies. According to reports, she rallied support among Reform’s traditionalist wing, undermining Yusuf’s authority until he stepped down in June 2025.
Although Pochin denied orchestrating the resignation, multiple Reform figures acknowledged she was instrumental in tipping the balance. Her consolidation of influence following Yusuf’s departure marked her as one of the party’s most powerful — and polarising — figures.
Race and Representation Controversy
Pochin again made headlines in July 2025, during a Reform UK event, when she was recorded saying:
“It drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people. That’s not representative of real Britain.”
The comments were widely condemned as racist and tone-deaf. Broadcasters, advocacy organisations, and political opponents called for her resignation. Major brands distanced themselves from the remarks, and even some within Reform UK expressed discomfort.
In response, Nigel Farage defended Pochin from accusations of racism but acknowledged the phrasing was “clumsy.” He insisted her broader point was about “forced diversity in advertising not reflecting reality,” and accused the media of “deliberate distortion.”
Pochin later released a statement clarifying her position, insisting her remarks were about “demographic honesty” in advertising, not race. Nevertheless, the controversy dealt a blow to Reform UK’s efforts to present a more mainstream image.
Final takeaway
Sarah Pochin’s rapid rise in Reform UK has been marked by defiance, controversy, and an unflinching commitment to cultural conservatism. She joins Richard Tice, Lee Anderson, Danny Kruger and Farage himself, in the Reform parliamentary group. From her career as a magistrate to her local government rebellion and parliamentary victory, she has consistently portrayed herself as a voice for a silenced majority — even when her comments ignite national uproar.
As Reform UK continues to redefine the British political right, Pochin is poised to remain at its ideological heart: blunt, unfiltered, and unapologetically at odds with Britain’s liberal political establishment.
