Labour suffered a severe defeat in the local elections as the 'Red Wall' crumbles, with Reform and the Greens capitalising on voter disillusionment. Keir Starmer's party swept to power in the general election just two years ago on a promise of 'change', but the public has clearly been underwhelmed by their tenure so far.
Greater Manchester Losses
Across Greater Manchester, where Labour has been the dominant party for decades, dozens of Labour councillors lost their seats. The Greens dominated in Manchester, subjecting Labour to a miserable day with the party losing major figures, including its deputy leader. In surrounding towns, Reform's vote surge claimed major gains in Wigan, Bolton, and Tameside, while the Liberal Democrats took control in Stockport.
Salford's Shift
Nigel Farage's party also enjoyed success in Salford, which has been Labour-controlled for decades. Across the borough, Labour lost 13 seats, with Reform gaining 13 and the Greens picking up three. Although only 21 of the 60 seats were up for election, Labour remains in overall control despite their losses.
Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour MP for Salford, described the results as devastating: 'It's just soul destroying. I think we've lost so many good councillors tonight who didn't deserve to lose their seats. It's not on them this terrible defeat in Salford tonight. They've been working hard for the city and the national party needs to understand the scale of the defeat. It isn't just about a few things here and there, it's about fundamental trust in the party.'
Local Discontent in Eccles
In Eccles town centre, there was little sympathy for the party, with locals saying the promised 'change' has failed to materialise. The centre is dominated by a giant Morrisons supermarket, with the main shopping street a mixture of closed units, pubs, barbers, and vape shops. Residents have been calling for investment for years, with disillusioned individuals stating that little will change regardless of who is in charge.
Mark Cowlishaw remarked: 'Labour has massively messed up the country. Everything is going up in price, nothing down. All my mates have gone to Reform, maybe they will take some action now.'
Sarah Kassim, landlady of the Old Bulls Head, added: 'Trying to run a business with all the taxes is hard. These parties tell us one thing, then we get told other things, then something else happens. The price of things is just horrendous. We've had this for years, but nothing ever changes so people are saying 'sod it'.'
Pub regular David Oakes expressed frustration: 'The Conservatives messed up, Labour have messed up. And I don't like Nigel Farage. Who else have we got? There's no-one out there to vote for. I've not been taken in by Farage. I think he could be dangerous. I can see that he has won support by always saying 'stop the boats'. That's his main thing, he has a point that we can't keep accepting people, it's a shame. But I don't know what else he stands for.'
His friend Pete Batty added: 'I remember when Farage was in the jungle for the money. They all have their hands in the pot. He's played the immigration situation well. At the last election Labour promised change. But nothing changes. Every government is the same. Salford has always been a Labour stronghold, ever since I was little. But I don't think it matters, whoever is in charge.'
Tameside and Beyond
On the other side of Manchester, Labour lost the stronghold of Tameside, which includes the parliamentary seat of Angela Rayner, after controlling it for 47 years. Rob Barrowcliffe, chair of Tameside Reform UK, said: 'It was well beyond my expectations. 18 out of 19's not so bad! It's clear by the result that the people of Tameside are fed up, and they're demanding change. People just want common sense, they want decency, they want fairness.'
In Manchester, the Greens enjoyed success, winning 17 more seats, while in Wigan, Reform picked up 24 seats. In Stockport, the Liberal Democrats took overall control of the council for the first time since 2011. Council leader Mark Roberts commented: 'We show time and time again that the Liberal Democrats are the way to beat Reform, and Liberal Democrat areas don't vote Reform.'
