Guardian UK Politics
Elections 2026 live: Labour suffers losses as Reform UK surges in England
Reform UK is making significant gains in England's local council elections, dealing a blow to Labour as results continue to roll in. The surge signals growing voter appetite for Nigel Farage's party at the local level, a trend that could reshape the political landscape ahead of the next general election. Scottish and Welsh parliamentary results are still pending, with full picture expected from midday.
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Election results so far at a glance - and what's still to come
Reform UK is capitalizing on voter frustration with Britain's two major parties, picking up council seats at the expense of both Labour and the Conservatives in early local election results. The gains signal a continued surge in support for Nigel Farage's party following its strong showing at last year's general election. With more results still to come, the full scale of Reform's breakthrough — and the damage to the established parties — remains to be seen.
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Labour losses pile up in England local elections as Reform UK makes gains
Reform UK delivered a punishing blow to Labour in England's local elections, seizing control in key northern strongholds including Hartlepool while stripping the governing party of councillors across Chorley, Wigan, Redditch, and Tamworth. The results signal a dramatic realignment of working-class voter loyalty away from Labour, with Nigel Farage's party capitalising on widespread discontent with Starmer's government. For Labour, the losses represent more than a mid-term protest — they point to a structural vulnerability that cannot be easily dismissed.
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Elections 2026 live: Labour suffers historic defeat in Wales; Starmer vows to fight on as Reform surge in English council elections
Labour's electoral coalition is fracturing on multiple fronts, with the party suffering its worst-ever result in Wales as First Minister Eluned Morgan lost her own seat — a stunning symbolic blow to Keir Starmer's government. Reform UK continued its surge across English council elections, while the SNP held firm in Scotland under John Swinney. Starmer has pledged to press on, but the results signal deep voter disillusionment with Labour's direction less than two years into government.
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Nigel Farage hails ‘historic shift in politics’ after Reform UK election gains
Reform UK claimed a string of local election victories across England, dealing blows to both Labour and the Conservatives in their traditional strongholds. Nigel Farage declared the results a "historic shift in British politics," pointing to gains that cement Reform as a serious force in the electoral landscape. However, at least one pollster cautioned that the results may indicate the party has already reached its ceiling of support.
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