Reform UK Gains Power as Labour Suffers Historic Losses

The May 2026 local and devolved elections resulted in a fundamental realignment of British politics, marked by the surge of Nigel Farage and his Reform UK party. Reform UK won over 1,400 council seats in England and seized control of 14 councils, including Essex, Sunderland, and Thurrock, where they took 45 of 49 seats. Farage described the results as a "truly historic shift in British politics," asserting that the party is now a competitive alternative to the Conservatives.

Governing Labour suffered devastating losses, losing nearly 1,500 council seats and control of approximately 40 councils. In Wales, Plaid Cymru became the largest party in the Senedd with 43 seats, ending Labour's century-long dominance. In Scotland, Labour and the Conservatives hit record lows, while the Scottish National Party remained the largest party but failed to secure a majority. The Green Party also saw growth, winning their first directly elected mayors in Hackney and Lewisham.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced immediate calls for his resignation following the defeats. Starmer refused to step down, stating he would not "plunge the country into chaos." To stabilize his position, he appointed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy on global finance and cooperation. Despite the gains, some analysts argued that Reform UK's national influence is overstated, citing a decrease in overall vote share compared to the previous year.