In one of the most dramatic nights British politics has seen in years, the local elections have delivered a political shockwave—one that’s rattled both the Conservative and Labour parties.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, has surged from insurgent status to major political contender, upending decades of two-party dominance.
From council chambers to mayoral races, Reform’s rise has stunned observers and voters alike.
The results are still rolling in, but the early indicators point to a major realignment in the political landscape.
Reform UK Wins Big: From Staffordshire to Lincolnshire
The headlines are dominated by Reform UK’s unexpected triumphs.
They’ve taken control of Staffordshire and Lincolnshire county councils, dislodging long-entrenched Conservative majorities.
The party also claimed a historic victory in Durham, once a Labour stronghold and widely considered the heartland of the party’s founding values.
Dame Andrea Jenkyns secured another headline-grabbing win, becoming the first mayor of Greater Lincolnshire with a landslide majority of over 40,000 votes—leaving the Tories in the dust.
Reform nearly snatched mayoralties in North Tyneside and Doncaster, coming just a few hundred votes shy in each.
Runcorn & Helsby: A By-Election Nail-Biter
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping moment came in Runcorn & Helsby, where Reform edged out Labour by just six votes in a by-election that highlighted their growing national reach.
The victory was symbolic and substantial—it was the first time a party from outside the traditional two had flipped a parliamentary seat in decades.
Reform candidate Sarah Pochin didn’t hold back.
In front of cheering supporters and an approving Nigel Farage, she declared, “Enough Tory failure, enough Labour lies.”
Labour’s Troubles Multiply
For Labour, the warning signs are everywhere.
Their grip on traditional bastions like Durham is loosening.
In Doncaster, incumbent mayor Ros Jones barely held on against Reform—winning by just 698 votes.
And in North Tyneside, Labour’s once-commanding lead of nearly 14,000 votes shrank to a hair-thin 444.
Many within the party are alarmed.
Labour figures, including Ros Jones and MP Brian Leishman, have criticized party leader Keir Starmer for losing touch with voters—especially over controversial decisions like changes to the winter fuel allowance and disability benefits.
Starmer responded from a non-election visit in Bedfordshire, pledging to move “further and faster” with reforms.
But his message may be falling flat with a public hungry for immediate change.
Tories on the Back Foot
It wasn’t just Labour feeling the heat. The Conservatives are bracing for a brutal final tally.
Forecasts now suggest they could lose 600 to 700 council seats—a figure worse than previously feared.
Their control of Devon, Lincolnshire, and other traditional strongholds is evaporating.
Still, some senior Tories are trying to project calm. Party co-chair Nigel Huddleston called it a “marathon not a sprint,” even as internal divisions emerge over whether to cooperate with Reform or fight them head-on.
Could Reform and Tories Join Forces?
With Reform gaining 23 seats in Northumberland to the Tories’ 26, some are speculating about a possible coalition to control the council.
Farage has mocked the idea but hasn’t ruled it out, jokingly suggesting Kemi Badenoch should remain Tory leader for the sake of Reform’s rise.
However, official lines remain firm—Badenoch and others insist there’ll be no merger, despite overlapping voter bases and shared policy interests, particularly on immigration and government reform.
A New Political Landscape?
Experts are starting to wonder if Britain’s long-standing two-party system is breaking apart.
Polling guru Sir John Curtice said the writing is on the wall: “Reform are in business.”
With their consistent 39% vote share across wards, Curtice noted that they’re outperforming both Labour and the Tories in many places.
Farage’s party also put in strong showings in places like the West of England mayoralty, where they leapfrogged the Greens and pushed Labour to the edge.
Local Voices, National Consequences
Reform’s victories are resonating far beyond ballot boxes.
In Runcorn, Pochin promised to tackle illegal immigration, claiming many residents are “frightened to go out of their homes.”
Elsewhere, returning mayors and councillors expressed frustration at national leaders for ignoring everyday struggles—from fuel allowances to small business taxes.
Even within Labour, prominent voices are urging a change of course.
Leeds MP Richard Burgon called for wealth taxes and stronger social protections to stop bleeding support to Reform.
What Comes Next?
With more than 1,600 council seats up for grabs, six mayoralties in play, and one parliamentary seat already flipped, the full impact of these elections won’t be clear until all results are in.
But one thing is certain: British politics is entering a new chapter.
Reform UK has proven it’s not just a protest party—it’s a force.
Whether it continues to rise or falters under the weight of expectation will depend on what happens next at both local and national levels.