‘Leader of the pack’: What next as Reform makes huge election gains?

England’s local council elections delivered a decisive victory for Reform UK, which won more than 500 seats and four councils, dealing a severe setback to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. Labour lost around 300 councillors across 136 English councils, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claiming the party was ‘wiped out’ in traditional Labour strongholds. The results underscore Reform UK’s growing influence as it prepares for the next general election, expected by 2029. Labour’s struggles extend beyond electoral losses, as Starmer faces internal dissent over his leadership and recent controversies, including the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. Analysts suggest these defeats will intensify calls for Starmer’s resignation, particularly as hundreds of Labour MPs risk losing their seats in the upcoming election. While Reform UK celebrates its gains, the Green Party and Liberal Democrats also made modest progress, with Greens capitalizing on rising support since Zack Polanski became leader in 2025. Green Party councillor Nick Hartley criticized Reform UK’s billionaire-backed platform, emphasizing the party’s focus on grassroots community politics over top-down power. The election results reflect broader voter dissatisfaction with Labour’s shift toward the right under Starmer, despite its traditional left-wing roots. Reform UK’s anti-immigration stance and populist appeal have resonated in key areas, reshaping the political landscape ahead of the next national vote. The challenge for Reform now lies in translating local success into broader governance credibility.