Reform UK Wins Landslide Gains in 2026 Local Elections

Reform UK achieved a historic surge in the May 2026 local elections, securing over 1,400 council seats across England and seizing control of authorities including Essex County Council, Suffolk County Council, and Newcastle-under-Lyme. In a significant shift in the North East, the party ended decades of Labour dominance by taking control of Sunderland City Council—where it won 58 of 75 seats—and Gateshead council, which had been Labour-led since 1973. The party also established a strong presence in devolved parliaments, finishing second to Plaid Cymru in Wales and tying with Labour for second place in Scotland.

Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged the results as tough and accepted responsibility for the Labour Party's collapse, which saw the loss of over 1,100 seats in English councils and the surrender of control over eight local authorities. Labour also lost its overall majority in Coventry and Leeds. These losses prompted some senior party figures and MPs to call for Starmer to consider his position, though others defended his leadership.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage characterized the victory as a stepping stone toward a general election win. Party officials attributed the success to voter anger over the cost of living, the economy, and illegal migration. Despite the gains, a BBC projection noted the party's national vote share at 26%, a slight decrease from 30% in the previous year's local elections.