Reform takes St Helens in seismic victory as Labour suffers in North-West England

Reform UK achieved a seismic victory in St Helens during the 2026 local elections, capturing 34 of 48 seats and leaving Labour with just two councillors—one fewer than the Liberal Democrats and one more than the Conservatives. The result marks the near-total decimation of Labour’s dominance in the area, with the party losing all but two seats after entering the election with an eight-seat majority. St Helens Mayor Steve Rotheram, Labour’s Liverpool City Region mayor, called the outcome a ‘wake-up call,’ warning that the party risks losing support if it fails to reconnect with working-class communities. Across North-West England, Labour lost control of three councils—Preston, Hyndburn, and Blackburn with Darwen—while Reform UK gained 1,443 seats nationwide, the largest increase of any party. The Conservatives and Labour both suffered significant losses, with the Tories dropping 557 seats and Labour losing 1,417. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats gained 153 seats, the Greens 381, and independents 28, reflecting a broader shift in voter sentiment. Rotheram urged Labour to adapt, stating that the party must ‘listen, learn, and adapt’ or risk further decline. He emphasized that ignoring the results would only weaken Labour’s ability to serve its core constituency. The results have heightened pressure on Labour leader Keir Starmer, as Reform UK’s surge challenges the party’s traditional support base. St Helens’ outcome was described as ‘blowing the minds of everyone’ across political parties, with Reform UK’s 30-seat lead in the final ward count securing its control of the council. Labour’s potential collapse to zero seats underscores the severity of the defeat, which analysts say could reshape the party’s strategy ahead of future elections.