Reform UK Leads Local Election Results as Labour and Conservatives Lose Ground

Context Overnight local elections in England have shown a fragmented political landscape. Results are in for roughly one‑third of the contested seats, with the remaining wards still to report. The BBC’s sample of more than 500 wards provides the most detailed picture of party performance so far.

Key Facts Reform UK emerged as the clear winner, winning the largest share of seats – about 30% of those declared. In the same sample, the party averaged a 26% vote share, enough to stay ahead of all rivals. The party’s strength correlated with former Brexit support: in wards where more than 60% voted to leave the EU in 2016, Reform averaged 41% of the vote, versus just 10% where Leave support was below 49%.

Labour suffered the steepest decline. Its vote share fell by roughly 16 percentage points compared with the 2022 local elections and by 19 points against the 2024 figures. The loss translated into a net loss of about 250 seats, half of the seats the party was defending, and the loss of control of eight councils.

The Conservatives also slipped, down 11 points from 2022 and 9 points from 2024. The party’s net seat loss stands at 137, amplified by defeats in its former strongholds. The decline was most pronounced in areas where Reform’s support was highest, underscoring the new threat to the Conservative base.

The Greens posted a modest rise, averaging 16% of the vote and gaining 25 seats, their best local performance to date. The Liberal Democrats saw a slight dip of three points from both 2022 and 2024, gaining control of Portsmouth and Stockport but losing Hull.

What It Means The data suggest a realignment of local politics, with Reform UK capitalising on Brexit‑leaning constituencies and eroding the traditional Labour‑Conservative duopoly. Labour’s sharp drop in areas where it previously performed well, especially among Muslim communities, points to a weakening of its core base. The Conservatives face a parallel erosion, particularly where Reform’s message resonates.

With two‑thirds of seats still uncounted, the final picture could shift, but the current trends indicate a fragmented electorate and a rising third‑party force. Watch for how the remaining results affect council control and whether Reform can translate local gains into broader national momentum.