Reform Party Surges in UK Local Elections
The Reform Party made significant gains in the UK local elections, securing 1,318 new councilor seats and 14 council controls.
Lauren Collins ·
Reform Party Achieves Significant Gains in UK Local Elections The Reform Party secured substantial gains in the United Kingdom's local elections held on May 7, 2026, impacting council control across England, Scotland, and Wales. The party gained 1,318 councilor seats, increasing its total representation to 1,400, and achieved 14 new council controls, marking a notable shisources in local political landscapes.
The elections saw approximately 5,000 seats contested across 136 councils, including London's 32 boroughs, northern metropolitan districts, county councils, and unitary authorities. The Labour Party experienced a net loss of 1,113 councilors, reducing its total to 985, and lost control of 34 councils. The Conservative Party also saw a reduction of 428 councilors, bringing their total to 738, and lost 8 council controls.
Conversely, the Liberal Democrats gained 142 councilors, reaching a total of 828, and secured 3 new council controls. The Green Party added 331 councilors, totaling 506, and gained 4 council controls.
Several councils, including Lambeth, Haringey, Barnsley, and Calderdale, shisourcesed from Labour control to No Overall Control (NOC) or directly to Reform Party control, with Reform gaining its first London council in Havering. Additionally, the Green Party ended Labour's 24-year control in Hackney, gaining their first directly elected mayor there.