


Reform UK Surges to Power in Local Elections, Overtaking Conservatives as Main Opposition
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, marks political shift by winning more local seats and defeating Labour in key byelection.
Overview
In a landmark local election on May 1, 2025, Nigel Farage's Reform UK party captured the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary seat by just six votes, signaling its emergence as a significant political force. The party, advocating against immigration, gained control of at least six county councils, shutting out both Labour and Conservatives. With an estimated 30% of the vote, Reform's performance points to a historic shift from traditional party dominance. Keir Starmer's Labour saw significant losses, leading to questions about its future direction, while the Conservatives also struggled to regain voter trust.
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FAQ
Reform UK had secured no council seats in the 2021 local elections but gained dozens through subsequent by-elections. In the May 2025 elections, Reform UK won at least 79 council seats (as partial results were reported) and six county councils, overtaking the Conservatives in many areas.
Reform UK focused heavily on anti-immigration policies and positioned itself as a challenger to traditional party dominance. While specific 2025 campaign details aren't fully detailed in available sources, their national brand under Farage has consistently emphasized stricter immigration controls and opposition to 'woke' policies.
While specific 2025 Conservative losses aren't enumerated in available results, Reform's rise has historically destabilized Tory strongholds. The Cavendish Briefing notes Reform's threat caused internal Conservative divisions in 2024, and their 2025 local election dominance suggests further pressure on Tory leadership to address reformist voter concerns.
Labour held onto mayoralties in West of England, Doncaster, and North Tyneside but lost the Runcorn parliamentary seat. With only 11 council seats reported early in counting (vs. 2021's larger totals), the results indicate challenges for Starmer in maintaining Labour's traditional strongholds against Reform's surge.
Reform UK secured its first mayoral victory in Greater Lincolnshire with former Conservative MP Andrea Jenkyns, marking the party's entry into executive-level governance. This newly created mayoral position gave Reform a symbolic foothold in regional power structures.
History
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