Reform makes big gains in local UK polls: Will this pressure Starmer to quit?

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, made significant gains in England’s local and regional elections, winning 30% of declared council seats and at least 380 seats overall. The party outperformed in areas where over 60% voted for Brexit, securing an average of 41% of the vote in those wards, while struggling in regions with lower Brexit support. Labour suffered heavy losses, losing 258 council seats and control of at least eight councils, including Hartlepool, where it lost every contested seat. The Conservative Party also declined, losing 158 seats, primarily to Reform candidates. The results mark Reform UK’s strongest performance to date, with Farage calling them a ‘historic change in British politics.’ The party gained control of two councils—Havering and Newcastle-under-Lyme—and made inroads in traditional Labour heartlands like Wigan, Bolton, and Salford. Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey described the losses as ‘soul-destroying,’ while pollster John Curtice noted the outcome was ‘as bad as anyone expected, or worse.’ Pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer has intensified following the election results. Labour MP Jonathan Brash urged Starmer to resign and set a timetable for departure, arguing it would allow for an orderly transition. Starmer has already faced scrutiny over his decision to sack Peter Mandelson as US ambassador in September 2025 due to Epstein ties, which opponents have used to demand his resignation. Reform UK’s success could reshape UK politics, particularly if it continues to attract voters disillusioned with Labour and the Conservatives. The party’s gains in Brexit-aligned areas suggest a lasting shift in voter priorities, while Labour’s losses reflect broader dissatisfaction with Starmer’s leadership. With county council results still pending, Reform UK may further challenge Conservative strongholds in regions like Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk.