Arabic version: حقق إصلاح المملكة المتحدة مكاسب كبيرة في الانتخابات المحلية
Reform UK has emerged as the significant victor in the recent local elections across England, gaining hundreds of seats and taking control of two councils. Labour, on the other hand, has faced substantial losses, shedding hundreds of councillors and losing control of eight councils. According to BBC News, the elections saw votes counted in 46 council areas overnight, with more results expected throughout Friday and Saturday.
In addition to the council elections, elections were also held for the Welsh and Scottish Parliaments and for six mayoral positions in London and Watford. The counting for these elections will occur later on Friday. The early results indicate that Labour has lost several councils, most of which have shifted to no overall control, while Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats have made notable gains.
Reform UK successfully took control of Havering council and gained Newcastle-under-Lyme from the Conservatives. They also became the largest party on the Rochford and North East Lincolnshire councils, although they did not secure an outright majority. Meanwhile, Labour’s losses included Hartlepool, Southampton, Wandsworth, Redditch, and Tamworth.
In London, the Conservatives regained Westminster City Council from Labour, maintaining control in Bexley and Kensington and Chelsea. The Liberal Democrats took full control of Stockport Council, defending 11 seats and gaining two additional ones. Notably, Labour lost all 22 seats it was defending in Wigan to Reform UK, yet still retains control of the council due to the structure of the elections.
The overnight results reflect heavy losses for Labour, particularly in the north-west and east of England, while the Conservatives also faced significant seat losses in the east and Midlands. With over 5,000 councillors up for election across 136 councils, the majority of results are still pending, including those for the Scottish and Welsh parliaments, which have introduced new electoral systems and constituency changes for the upcoming elections.
