Labour suffered significant losses in England's local elections, with Reform UK making substantial gains across numerous councils. Early results showed Labour losing councillors in traditional northern heartlands, while Reform took control of its first council, Newcastle-under-Lyme, from Labour.
In Hartlepool, Reform won all 12 seats up for election, likely pushing Labour into opposition. Labour MP Jonathan Brash, whose wife lost her seat, called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation, stating, 'The very best thing the prime minister could do now is address the nation tomorrow and set out a timetable for his departure.'
Reform leader Nigel Farage described the results as a 'historic change in British politics,' noting 'stunning percentages in traditional old Labour areas.' Political analyst Sir John Curtice suggested Labour might lose fewer than 1,500 seats, and noted that Reform was leading in early counts with less than 30% of the vote, indicating a fragmented political landscape.
The Liberal Democrats celebrated gains, taking control of councils in Stockport and Portsmouth, while the Greens were optimistic about winning Hackney council but struggled to convert votes into seats. Turnout was 31.5%, slightly higher than in 2024.
