Reform UK and Liberal Democrats Split West Sussex Council Seats, Leaving Council Hung

*TL;DR: Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats each secured 23 seats in West Sussex County Council, leaving the body without a majority as it prepares for its inaugural meeting on May 22.

Context On May 7, West Sussex voters chose 70 councillors from 362 candidates to represent roughly 12,000 residents each. The election covered the county and coincided with contests in Adur, Crawley and Worthing. Prior to the vote, the Conservatives held a clear majority with 38 seats.

Key Facts - Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats emerged as joint largest parties, each holding 23 seats. - The Conservative Party fell to 11 seats, the Greens to 7, Labour to 5, and a single seat went to the Local Alliance. - No party reached the 36‑seat threshold needed for overall control, classifying the council as “hung.” - The council’s first full meeting is set for Friday, 22 May, when leadership roles and committee assignments will be decided.

What It Means With neither Reform UK nor the Liberal Democrats able to command a majority, coalition talks are inevitable. Both parties will need to negotiate with smaller groups—Conservatives, Greens, Labour and the Local Alliance—to form a governing administration. The balance of power now rests on the 13 seats held by parties outside the two largest groups.

The upcoming meeting will determine who assumes the chairmanship, council leadership and cabinet posts. Those appointments will shape policy decisions on education, transport, social care and infrastructure for the county’s 800,000 residents. A coalition that bridges Reform UK’s right‑leaning platform with the Liberal Democrats’ centrist agenda could produce a mixed policy agenda, while a broader alliance involving Greens and Labour might push environmental and social priorities.

Stakeholders will watch the May 22 webcast closely, as the composition of the ruling coalition will influence budget allocations and service delivery for the next four years. The next critical development will be the formal announcement of the council’s leadership team, which will set the tone for West Sussex’s governance amid a fragmented political landscape.