Reform UK Takes 13 Councils as Labour Loses Over 1,300 Seats in England

*TL;DR: Reform UK captured 13 councils and over 1,350 seats; Labour surrendered control of 35 councils and more than 1,300 seats in England’s local elections.*

Context England’s municipal polls saw more than 5,000 council seats contested. The results arrived as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party struggled to recover from internal rebellions and the fallout of recent policy missteps. While final counts are still pending in some areas, the early tallies reveal a decisive shift toward the hard‑right Reform UK.

Key Facts - Labour lost control of 35 councils and more than 1,300 seats across England. - Reform UK secured over 1,350 seats and took the reins of 13 councils. - Reform leader Nigel Farage declared that Labour is being “wiped out” in many of its traditional strongholds. - The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party also made modest gains, but the headline change centered on Reform’s surge.

What It Means Reform UK’s local victories give the party a foothold in a region that houses over 80 % of the United Kingdom’s population. Holding council power provides a platform to test policy implementation and to build a grassroots network ahead of the next general election, expected by 2029. Analysts note that governing at the local level will expose Reform to operational challenges that could temper its national ambitions.

For Labour, the loss of 35 councils deepens pressure on Starmer’s leadership. Party insiders warn that repeated defeats may embolden factions seeking a change at the top, especially as the party’s rightward shift under Starmer fails to arrest voter erosion. The loss also reduces Labour’s capacity to influence local services, potentially weakening its appeal in future national contests.

The broader political landscape in England is becoming increasingly multiparty. While Reform UK now leads the right‑wing bloc, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Greens remain active players. Voter sentiment on issues such as immigration—highlighted by Reform’s pledge to build migrant detention centres in Green‑controlled areas—will likely shape upcoming campaign narratives.

Looking ahead, observers will watch how Reform UK translates council control into policy outcomes and whether Labour can regroup before the next general election. The next round of local results, due later this week, may further clarify the trajectory of England’s shifting political map.