Reform made a strong showing in the recent local council elections, emerging as the top performer by winning the most votes, seats, and control of various councils. Despite garnering a 31% share of the votes across the 23 councils where elections were held, it was not enough to secure a majority. However, its success pushed it ahead of the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, and Labour in terms of votes.
The 2024 general election saw Reform securing 14% of the vote but only 5 out of 650 seats in Westminster. However, in 2025, being the front-runner allowed the first-past-the-post electoral system to work in Reform’s favor. The party’s ability to concentrate votes helped it claim a total of 677 council seats, representing 41% of all contested seats on election day.
In areas like Staffordshire, Kent, and Derbyshire, Reform managed to secure a significantly high proportion of seats relative to its share of the vote. The party’s success in challenging the dominance of traditional parties like the Conservatives and Labour indicates a changing political landscape. The detailed electoral map produced by the BBC highlights the varying levels of support for Reform across different wards, showcasing its appeal among certain demographics.
Reflected in its anti-EU stance, Reform’s performance was noticeably stronger in wards that heavily supported Leave during the 2016 EU referendum than in Remain-backing areas. The party’s success in attracting voters from diverse backgrounds speaks to the complex fault lines in British politics. With a focus on Brexit and immigration, Reform’s appeal lies in addressing the concerns of voters in ‘left-behind’ regions of the country, where globalization and university expansion have had less impact.
In light of the electoral drubbing faced by both the Conservatives and Labour, it is clear that appealing to the demographic that supported Reform is crucial for their future success. The party’s ability to attract former Conservative voters as well as those traditionally aligned with Labour underscores the need for main parties to reassess their strategies. Despite its advances, Reform faced challenges in wards held by the Liberal Democrats and Greens, demonstrating the distinctiveness of its support base and the evolving political landscape in the aftermath of Brexit
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