Fact check: Reform UK’s Newcastle-under-Lyme election results

Claim 1 Reform UK gained control of Newcastle-under‑Lyme Borough Council after winning a majority of seats in the local election.

Evidence The council’s official news release states that Reform UK won 27 of the 44 seats, giving it a majority and control of the council. BBC coverage confirms that Reform UK took control of the council with the same seat total.

Verdict True.

Analysis Both the council’s statement and the BBC report agree on the seat count and the resulting majority. No contradictory evidence appears in the sources reviewed, so the claim is fully supported.

Claim 2 In the Newcastle-under‑Lyme Borough Council election, Reform UK won 27 seats, the Conservatives won 15 seats, and Labour won 2 seats.

Evidence The council’s published results list the distribution as Reform UK 27, Conservatives 15, Labour 2. BBC reporting repeats those exact numbers for each party.

Verdict True.

Analysis Two independent sources present identical seat totals for Reform UK, the Conservatives and Labour. The consistency across outlets confirms the accuracy of the claim.

Claim 3 Voter turnout in the Newcastle-under‑Lyme Borough Council election was 47.8 %, an increase from 43 % in the 2022 election.

Evidence The council’s official release records turnout at 47.8 % compared with 43.01 % in 2022. BBC coverage notes that turnout was 47.8 % and describes it as higher than the 43 % recorded previously.

Verdict True.

Analysis Both the council’s data and the BBC article corroborate the turnout figures and the upward trend from the prior election. No evidence disputes these percentages.

What to watch next: how the newly elected Reform UK councillors will navigate the impending local government reorganisation in Staffordshire, which is set to replace existing councils with unitary authorities by 2028.