Political reporter Paul Seddon has reported major gains for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in English local elections, positioning it as a significant contender against Britain’s traditional main parties. The party secured around 677 out of 1,600 seats contested in predominantly Tory-held councils, last contested in 2021. Notably, Reform took over eight authorities from the Conservatives, including former strongholds like Kent and Staffordshire. Additionally, the party now holds control of Doncaster, the only council Labour was defending, as well as Durham, where Labour was previously the largest party.
In a significant milestone, Reform also claimed victory in its first mayoral contests in the newly-established combined authorities of Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. Reacting to these results, an elated Farage declared that Reform had surpassed the Tories as the primary opposition party to Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour government. These elections across 23 councils, primarily situated in rural and suburban areas of England, represent the first substantial electoral challenge since Labour’s overwhelming general election triumph last year.
Facing a challenging landscape, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch acknowledged her party’s need for extensive rebuilding after their extended period in government. Drawing attention to the prevailing trend of protest in today’s fiercely competitive political terrain, Badenoch recognized the substantial setbacks suffered by the Conservatives in the recent elections. Labour, defending fewer seats this year, experienced a decline by 186 seats, impacting its hold in various key locations. Despite holding onto several mayoralties, Labour saw its voter support shrink considerably due to the rise of Reform party candidates in multiple regions.
Election results also showcased significant gains for the Liberal Democrats, who have now positioned themselves as the primary choice in “Middle England” following the acquisition of 163 seats. The Green Party secured over 40 seats as well, with noteworthy political shifts underlining the evolving landscape in British politics. These outcomes paint a picture of shifting voter allegiances, as evidenced by the projected share of the national vote indicating substantial changes in party rankings. The growing fragmentation of the political arena highlights the transformative nature of recent electoral results and the changing dynamics within the British political spectrum
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