Reform UK Wins 1,200 Seats as Labour Loses Power
Reform UK made large gains in English local council elections on May 8. The party won over 1,200 council seats across England.
Reform UK also took control of several councils including Essex County Council. The party gained ground in both Labour and Conservative areas.
Party leader Nigel Farage called the results a "historic shift in British politics." Labour lost control of at least 25 English councils. The party also lost power in Wales.
In Wales Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour party suffered a major collapse. Nationalist parties did well in both Scotland and Wales.
The SNP became the largest party in Scotland. Plaid Cymru came first in Wales.
Senior Labour MPs urged Starmer to step down within a year. But Starmer said he would not resign.
One pollster suggested Reform UK may have peaked. The pollster noted Reform UK's vote share is probably below 30%.
Key Terms 5
- Reform UK A right-wing British political party led by Nigel Farage
- SNP Scottish National Party — wants Scotland to be independent
- Plaid Cymru Welsh nationalist party — wants more power for Wales
- Pollster An expert who studies and predicts election results
- Councillors Elected local leaders who make decisions for towns and counties