Reform and OWL make big gains as Labour loses seats in West Lancashire

West Lancashire Council elections delivered a sweeping shift in power, with Reform UK and the independent Our West Lancashire (OWL) group capturing all 15 seats previously held by Labour. Labour defended eight seats but lost them all, leaving the party with just 13 councillors on the 45-seat council. Reform UK secured seven seats, OWL won five, and the Conservatives took three, while two independents were also elected. The outcome leaves the council’s leadership uncertain, as negotiations for potential alliances begin before the formal annual meeting later this month. Voter turnout reached 41%, the highest in at least 15 years, with many citing national political concerns—such as immigration and government decisions—as key factors in their voting choices. Reform UK’s gains included victories in wards like Burscough Bridge, Skelmersdale South, and Old Skelmersdale, where candidate Nigel Hudson emphasized local issues like swimming pool closures and voter disenfranchisement risks. Hudson, a longtime advocate for sports and leisure, called the election a chance to address Skelmersdale South’s neglected facilities. Labour’s losses were widespread, with the party’s deputy leader, Gareth Downing, defeated in Ormskirk after 12 years as a councillor. Downing attributed his defeat to national political discussions overshadowing local concerns, though he dismissed the controversy over swimming pool refurbishments as fabricated. Other Labour councillors, including Paul Hennessy, Andy Fowler, Vickie Cummins, and Terry Devine, also lost their seats. Downing suggested Reform UK’s gains may influence council debates but doubted they would drive major policy shifts. With no party holding an outright majority, the next steps involve coalition talks to determine the council’s leadership. Turnout and Reform UK’s strong showing reflect broader voter dissatisfaction, while Labour’s losses align with wider trends in local elections across the UK. The political landscape of West Lancashire remains fluid as parties assess their next moves.