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Reform UK emerges as frontrunner in fragmented vote
Britain's political landscape has fractured sharply in overnight local election results, with Nigel Farage's Reform UK securing the largest share of declared seats so far-30% of the total.
Vote share highlights Reform's Brexit strongholds
In a sample of over 500 wards analyzed by the BBC, Reform averaged 26% of the vote-enough to outpace all rivals, though not an overwhelming majority. The party's support was concentrated in areas that voted heavily for Brexit in 2016. In wards where over 60% backed Leave, Reform's vote share reached 41%. Conversely, in areas where fewer than 49% supported Brexit, the party polled just 10%. Its sole council takeover, Newcastle-under-Lyme, had voted nearly two-to-one in favor of leaving the EU.
Greens notch record performance but limited gains
The Green Party recorded its strongest local election showing to date, averaging 16% of the vote in declared wards-a seven-point rise from 2022 and pre-2024 general election levels. However, the party's net seat gains stand at just 25, with most successes coming in second or third-place finishes rather than outright victories.
Labour and Conservatives suffer steep declines
Labour's support has plummeted by 16 points since 2022 and 19 points compared to 2024, with the sharpest drops in its traditional strongholds and wards with large Muslim populations. The party has lost 250 seats-half of those it defended-and control of eight councils.
The Conservatives, meanwhile, saw their vote share fall by 11 points since 2022 and 9 points since 2024. Losses were most pronounced in areas where Reform performed strongly, underscoring the threat to the ruling party. The Tories have shed 137 seats but regained control of Westminster, a symbolic win driven by a 17-point collapse in Labour support rather than their own growth-their vote share there still fell by five points.
Liberal Democrats struggle to capitalize
The Liberal Democrats made modest gains, taking control of Portsmouth and Stockport but losing Hull. Their average vote share dipped by three points compared to both 2022 and 2024. Most seat gains came from profiting off Labour or Conservative declines in second-place wards, rather than expanding their own base.
Uncertainty remains as counts continue
With only a third of seats declared, key battlegrounds remain unresolved. Both Labour and the Conservatives will be watching closely for signs of a late rebound as results trickle in.
"The pattern so far suggests a realignment of British politics, with Reform reshaping the right and the Greens making inroads on the left," analysts noted in a joint assessment.
