Reform UK Takes Havering as Labour Falters in Wales and SNP Eyes Fifth Term

Reform UK won control of Havering, marking its first London borough win. Labour admitted it will lose the Welsh Senedd election, ending roughly 100 years of continuous rule. SNP leader John Swinney said his party will be the largest in Holyrood and secure a fifth successive term.

Elections across Scotland, Wales and 136 English local authorities are underway, representing the biggest electoral test since the 2024 general election. Results are seen as a gauge of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership, with parties vying for ground in former Labour strongholds and Conservative-held areas. Reform UK has been making inroads at the expense of both Labour and the Conservatives in northern England, the Midlands and Essex.

Reform UK gained control of Havering, its first victory in any London borough. Labour has acknowledged it will lose the Welsh Senedd election, ending roughly 100 years of continuous dominance in Wales. SNP leader John Swinney claims the SNP will be the largest party in Scotland and secure a fifth consecutive term.

The Havering result shows Reform UK’s ability to translate local gains into a London foothold, potentially reshaping capital politics. Labour’s expected loss in Wales signals a historic shift that could weaken its UK-wide base and prompt leadership scrutiny. The SNP’s claim of a fifth term, if realised, would extend its record in Holyrood and reinforce its push for greater Scottish autonomy.