For decades, many believed that voting for a third-party candidate was a wasted effort. That notion, however, feels outdated in today’s political climate.
By 2026, the idea of “third parties” seems to be dissolving altogether. Labour and Conservative dominance is being challenged, and the once-clear red and blue divide is fragmenting.
Voting for alternatives has become increasingly mainstream. The Liberal Democrats, with 72 MPs in the House of Commons, are now the third largest party and closing in on the Conservatives, who hold 116 seats.
At the same time, Reform is rapidly gaining momentum, and the Green Party stunned the political world by capturing the traditionally Labour-held Gorton and Denton seat earlier this year. Both parties have also seen remarkable surges in membership.
Ignoring third parties is no longer an option. So what does this mean for Bath? Could Reform or the Greens make inroads here, or will the Liberal Democrat incumbent, Wera Hobhouse, maintain her hold?
Wera Hobhouse acknowledges the rise of Reform with some concern: “I try to think ‘no, not in Bath,’ but we must recognize Reform as a significant force.”
Hobhouse, elected to represent Bath three times (2017, 2019, and 2024), successfully defended her seat in 2024 despite a national Labour wave, securing 41.2% of the vote compared to Labour’s 18%.
Still, she remains vigilant. Hobhouse cites widespread anti-establishment sentiment as a key driver behind Reform’s popularity: “People turn to Reform out of despair.”
As an established MP, running an anti-establishment campaign is challenging. She argues that Reform’s policies would fail to benefit ordinary people.
In contrast, Green Party Radstock town councillor Dom Tristram dismisses Reform’s chances in Bath. Having run twice for MP, Dom points to the city’s young, educated electorate, which tends to favor progressive politics, and notes Bath’s low immigration levels—the main issue Reform focuses on.
Instead, Dom envisions Bath’s next election as a battle between Liberal Democrats and Greens.
Nationally, the Green Party’s membership has tripled since September 2025, now exceeding 200,000, with roughly 1,300 members in Bath alone.
After triumphing over Labour and Reform in Gorton and Denton, the Greens are emerging as a serious contender. Although the party faces financial constraints and lacks a local office in Bath, Dom believes they could place second: “We don’t seek easy paths to power. There are no safe seats for us.”
When asked about a Lib Dem-Green showdown, Hobhouse expresses concern: “Splitting the progressive vote is just barmy.”
She explains, “While we often agree on many issues, dividing the vote risks handing victory to Reform.”
Hobhouse recalls the 2015 election, when Conservative Ben Howlett won Bath due to a split progressive vote between Liberal Democrat Steve Bradley and the Green Party, the latter securing more than 5,000 votes—more than the Liberal Democrat margin of defeat.
This assumes Green voters would otherwise support the Lib Dems, though some might vote Labour, spoil their ballot, or abstain. Yet Hobhouse insists, “If you don’t vote tactically, the Conservatives will win.”
Interestingly, despite Labour’s current government majority, neither Hobhouse nor Tristram see Labour as a major threat locally. Tristram notes that the Green Party’s growth partly stems from disillusioned Labour supporters.
Hobhouse recalls Labour’s third-place finish with 14.7% in 2017 and predicts their share will decline: “The government’s poor performance isn’t helping Labour’s cause.”
With roughly three years until the next general election, the political landscape remains fluid. A single day’s events can reshape voter sentiment.
For now, Bath’s future parliamentary representation could take multiple directions, influenced by rising third parties and shifting alliances.
Attempts to reach the local Reform Party for comment were unsuccessful.