Reform’s rise reshapes politics after its powerful showing in Thursday’s local elections. The party dominated the polls, winning the most votes and most council seats. Reform even secured control of several key councils, a feat that surprised many observers.
Across all 23 councils that held elections, Reform’s vote share hit 31%. Although this was far from a majority, it still placed Reform far ahead. The Conservatives, who traditionally lead county councils, managed just 23%. The Liberal Democrats followed with 17%, while Labour trailed at 14%.
Reform’s rise reshapes politics because the electoral system worked in its favor. The party’s 677 council seats represented 41% of all seats contested. That outcome was ten points above Reform’s actual vote share. Clearly, Reform’s ability to cluster votes delivered a powerful advantage.
Notably, Reform’s predecessor, Ukip, never achieved such control. Even at Ukip’s height before the 2015 general election, it couldn’t capture councils like Reform just did. This marks a historic shift.
In Staffordshire, Reform won 72% of the seats with just 41% of the vote. In Kent, 37% of votes delivered 70% of council seats. Derbyshire showed a similar pattern, rewarding Reform with 66% of councillors on that same share.
Instead of protecting Conservatives and Labour, the first-past-the-post system intensified their losses. Reform seized nearly half of all the seats those major parties were defending.
Strongholds appeared in Brexit-voting areas, including Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and the north Midlands. Smaller clusters appeared in north Devon, East Lincolnshire, and the northeast coast.
This regional support suggests Reform’s rise reshapes politics in a deep and lasting way. Analysts believe Reform attracted former Brexit and Boris Johnson voters. That makes it clear Reform’s success is not just a fleeting protest vote.
Reform’s rise reshapes politics by challenging the two-party system and reshaping future electoral strategies.
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