Early Reform UK Gains
Reform UK has achieved notable advances at the expense of Labour and the Conservatives in early council election results overnight. The elections, spanning Scotland, Wales, and 136 English councils, represent the largest set of polls since the 2024 general election and serve as a crucial test for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The comprehensive results will become clearer later as most councils are not counting overnight and are scheduled to announce outcomes on Friday, alongside the Senedd and Scottish Parliament results.
Reform UK has been securing seats in traditional Labour strongholds in northern England and the Midlands, including Wigan, Bolton, Salford, and Halton. In Hartlepool, Tameside, Redditch, and Tamworth, Labour lost council control amid a surge in Reform UK support.
Since Reform UK was in its early stages during the last elections, the party can only gain majority control where all council seats are contested. For most councils counting overnight, only a third of seats were up for election, indicating the party’s strongest prospects for control may emerge later in the day.
Tories Lose Ground
Reform UK also made gains at the Conservatives’ expense in locations such as Brentwood, Tamworth, and North East Lincolnshire. Overall, the Conservative Party has lost seats, though there were positive outcomes in areas like Harlow in Essex, where the party retained council control.
The Conservatives face challenges in regaining Westminster and Wandsworth councils in London, both previously flagship Conservative councils held for decades until Labour won them in 2022. Additionally, Reform UK poses a threat in county council elections in Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk, with results pending.
In southern England regions including Surrey and Sussex, the Liberal Democrats present the most significant challenge to the Conservatives.
Mixed Night for Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats experienced varied results overnight. They secured control of Stockport and Portsmouth, where they were already the largest party, gaining seats from Labour. However, in Hull, Reform UK gains caused the Liberal Democrats to lose council control.
The party anticipates stronger results later, aiming to take control of councils from the Conservatives in Hampshire and Surrey.
Greens Eye Gains in London
The Green Party of England and Wales has gained some seats overnight in areas such as Salford and Exeter. Their primary targets remain in London, with the best chances for council control in Hackney and Lewisham, where results are expected later.
Other Council Results Still to Come
Reform UK is also targeting London boroughs declaring results later, including Bromley and Barking & Dagenham. For the Conservatives, Barnet in north London is a key council they aim to regain from Labour.
Elsewhere, Reform UK focuses on former Labour strongholds in northern England and the Midlands such as Sunderland, Gateshead, and Walsall.
In Birmingham, currently Labour-run, the political landscape is notably fragmented. All five main parties have representation, and polls indicate strong support for pro-Palestinian independents. The final result could leave the city under no overall control for the first time in over a decade.
Reform and Plaid Battle in Wales
Labour, historically dominant in Westminster and Cardiff Bay elections for over a century, faces the possibility of losing its leading position in Wales. Multiple party sources have informed the BBC they expect Labour to lose the Senedd election.
Discontent with Labour has led to Plaid Cymru and Reform UK competing for first place. The Greens aim to secure their first Senedd seat, while the Welsh Liberal Democrats seek to increase their representation from one seat.
Although traditionally weak in Wales, the Conservatives appear poised for significant losses.
SNP Aims for Fifth Term in Scotland
Labour is also expected to suffer heavy losses in Scotland, where the Scottish National Party (SNP) is targeting an unprecedented fifth consecutive term. Reform UK, currently without representation in Holyrood, is challenging Labour for second place, while the Conservatives are anticipated to lose seats.
Both the Greens and Liberal Democrats hope to make gains amid a fragmentation of dominance by the main parties.
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