Voters across England headed to the polls on Thursday for local elections, with early results indicating significant gains for the Green Party and Reform UK, while Labour managed to hold onto key councils. The Conservatives faced notable losses in several battleground areas.
Green Party Surge
The Green Party celebrated its best-ever local election results, winning control of several councils and making substantial gains in others. Party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay hailed the results as a "breakthrough" for environmental politics. In Bristol, the Greens secured a majority, while they also made inroads in traditionally Labour-held areas like Sheffield and Brighton.
Reform UK Gains Ground
Reform UK, led by Richard Tice, also made significant progress, winning seats in multiple councils across the Midlands and the North. The party's anti-immigration and anti-net-zero messaging resonated with voters disillusioned with both main parties. In Dudley, Reform UK won six seats, becoming the second-largest party on the council.
Labour Holds Key Councils
Labour managed to hold onto several key councils that had been predicted to be tight, including Rotherham and Doncaster. However, the party lost ground in some areas to the Greens and Reform UK. Sir Keir Starmer said the results showed Labour was "on the right track" but acknowledged there was still work to do to win back trust.
Conservatives Suffer Losses
The Conservative Party faced a difficult night, losing control of several councils including Redditch and Tamworth. Party chairman Richard Holden said the results were "disappointing" but blamed "mid-term blues" and low turnout. Many Tory voters appeared to have stayed home or switched to Reform UK.
Liberal Democrats Hold Steady
The Liberal Democrats held their ground in their traditional strongholds, including South West England and parts of the Home Counties. Party leader Ed Davey said the results showed the Lib Dems were "the only real opposition to Labour" in many areas.
- Turnout was down across the country, averaging around 30%.
- In London, Labour held onto all its boroughs but saw reduced majorities in some.
- The Greens won their first-ever seats in several rural councils.
- Reform UK fielded candidates in more than 1,000 seats, up from 200 in 2024.
Overall, the results suggest a fragmented political landscape, with smaller parties making gains at the expense of the two main parties. The next major test will be the parliamentary by-elections expected later this year.
