Reform UK Gains Challenge Labour and Conservatives in English Council Elections

Reform UK has secured significant gains in early council election results, challenging both Labour and the Conservatives across England. These polls, encompassing Scotland, Wales, and 136 English councils, represent the largest electoral test since the 2024 general election.

English Council Shifts

Reform UK has picked up seats in traditional Labour strongholds across the North and Midlands, including Wigan, Bolton, Salford, and Halton. Labour lost control of councils in Hartlepool, Tameside, Redditch, and Tamworth as Reform’s support surged. Simultaneously, Reform made inroads against the Conservatives in areas such as Brentwood, Tamworth, and North East Lincolnshire.

The Conservatives have experienced overall seat losses, though they managed to retain control of Harlow Council in Essex. The party faces a battle to reclaim Westminster and Wandsworth councils in London, which Labour won in 2022 after decades of Conservative control. Further threats to Conservative dominance from Reform UK are expected in county council declarations later today in Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, while the Liberal Democrats pose a challenge in parts of Southern England, including Surrey and Sussex.

The Liberal Democrats secured control of Stockport and Portsmouth, gaining seats from Labour. However, the party lost control of Hull Council following gains by Reform UK. The Green Party of England and Wales has also picked up seats in Salford, Reading, and Exeter.

In Birmingham, the political landscape appears highly fragmented, with all five main parties present. Reports of strong support for pro-Palestinian independent candidates could result in the city council operating under no overall control for the first time in over a decade.

Wales and Scotland Await Results

In Wales, Labour faces the prospect of losing its century-long dominance in Senedd elections. Multiple party sources suggest an expected loss, with Plaid Cymru and Reform UK vying for the lead. The Greens aim for their first Senedd seat, and the Welsh Liberal Democrats seek to increase their representation from a single seat. Conservative losses are also anticipated in Wales.

Scotland is expected to see heavy losses for Labour, while the Scottish National Party aims for an unprecedented fifth consecutive term. Reform UK, currently without Holyrood representation, is challenging Labour for second place. The Conservatives are projected to lose seats, and both the Greens and Liberal Democrats are hoping for gains as the influence of major parties fragments.