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  3. /Election results so far at a glance - and what's still to come
PoliticsBreakingneutral

Election results so far at a glance - and what's still to come

BBC News2h ago4 min readOriginal source →
Election results so far at a glance - and what's still to come

TL;DR

Reform UK has gained seats in early council election results, impacting Labour and Conservatives. The elections span Scotland, Wales, and 136 English councils, with full results expected later on Friday.

Key points

  • Reform UK has gained seats in early council elections
  • Labour and Conservatives have lost ground
  • Elections cover Scotland, Wales, and 136 English councils
  • Full results will be announced later on Friday
  • Key areas of gain include Wigan, Bolton, Salford, and Halton

Mentioned in this story

Reform UKSir Keir StarmerWiganBoltonSalfordHalton

Why it matters

The outcomes of these elections could significantly influence the political landscape and the future of Labour and Conservative parties in the UK.

Reform UK has made significant gains at the expense of Labour and the Conservatives in early council election results overnight.

The polls across Scotland, Wales and 136 English councils are the biggest set of elections since the 2024 general election and a key test for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The full picture will emerge later as most councils are not counting overnight and are due to announce results later on Friday, along with results for the Senedd and Scottish Parliament.

Here are the key developments so far - and what's still to come.

Reform UK has been picking up seats in former Labour heartlands in the north of England and the Midlands, including Wigan, Bolton, Salford and Halton.

In Hartlepool, Tameside, Redditch and Tamworth Labour lost control of the council as support for Reform surged.

The last time these councils were up for election, Reform was in its infancy, so it's only possible for the party to win majority control in areas where all seats are being contested.

For most councils counting overnight, only a third of seats were up for election, so the party's best chance of winning power could be later in the day.

Reform also made gains at the expense of the Conservatives in places like Brentwood, Tamworth and North East Lincolnshire.

Overall, the Tories have lost seats but there were some bright spots in places like Harlow in Essex, where the party held the council.

Meanwhile, the Tories are facing a battle to win back Westminster and Wandsworth councils in London.

The two areas had previously been flagship Conservative councils and under the party's control for decades until 2022, when they were won by Labour.

The party continues to face a threat from Reform UK in county council elections like Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, which declare results later.

Meanwhile, in parts of southern England including Surrey and Sussex, it is the Liberal Democrats who pose the biggest challenge to the Tories.

It was a mixed set of results for the Liberal Democrats overnight.

They won control of Stockport and Portsmouth, where they were already the largest party, picking up seats from Labour.

But in Hull, Reform UK gains saw the Lib Dems lose control of the council.

The party believes its best results could come later, when it is hoping to win control of councils from the Conservatives in Hampshire and Surrey.

The Green Party of England and Wales has picked up some seats overnight in places like Salford and Exeter.

But the party's key targets are in London and the areas where they probably have the best chance of winning control of the council - Hackney and Lewisham - are not due to declare results until later.

Reform UK is also hoping to make gains in areas of London declaring later, including the outer boroughs of Bromley and Barking & Dagenham.

For the Conservatives, Barnet, in north London, is another flagship council they're hoping to win back from Labour.

Elsewhere, Reform UK is targeting former Labour strongholds in the north of England and the Midlands like Sunderland, Gateshead and Walsall.

In Birmingham - where the council is currently run by Labour - the new fragmented political landscape is on full display.

All the five main parties have a presence and with polls suggesting strong support for pro-Palestinian independents, the result later could leave the city under no overall control for the first time in more than a decade.

After more than a century of being the biggest party in Westminster and Cardiff Bay elections, Labour is facing the prospect of losing its dominance in Wales.

Multiple party sources have told the BBC they expect to lose the Senedd election.

Disillusionment with the incumbent party means it is Plaid Cymru and Reform UK vying for first place.

Meanwhile, the Greens are hoping to win their first Senedd seat, as the Welsh Liberal Democrats aim to increase their number from a single seat.

While Wales is not traditionally an area of strength for the Conservatives, the party looks set for considerable losses.

There are also expected to be heavy losses for Labour in Scotland, where the Scottish National Party are aiming to win an unprecedented fifth successive term.

Reform UK - which currently has no representation in Holyrood - is challenging Labour for second place, with the Conservatives expected to lose seats.

Both the Greens and the Liberal Democrats are hoping to make gains as the dominance of main parties fragments.

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Q&A

What are the early council election results for Reform UK?

Reform UK has made significant gains, particularly in former Labour strongholds in the north of England and the Midlands.

Which areas are seeing Reform UK gains in the council elections?

Reform UK is picking up seats in areas like Wigan, Bolton, Salford, and Halton.

When will the full council election results be announced?

Most councils are not counting overnight, with full results expected later on Friday.

What is the significance of these council elections for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer?

These elections are a key test for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer following the 2024 general election.

People also ask

  • Reform UK council election results
  • Labour losses in council elections 2024
  • When will council election results be announced?
  • Impact of council elections on Keir Starmer
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At a glance

  • Reform UK has gained seats in early council elections
  • Labour and Conservatives have lost ground
  • Elections cover Scotland, Wales, and 136 English councils
  • Full results will be announced later on Friday
  • Key areas of gain include Wigan, Bolton, Salford, and Halton

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