Sir John Curtice: Challenging the status quo of Conservative and Labour dominance through reform.

Sir John Curtice: Reform's sweeping election wins shake Tory and Labour dominance Published2 May 2025 Despite some results still pending, Reform has emerged victorious in Thursday's local elections. The party secured the most votes and seats in the 23 councils where elections took place, likely gaining around 700 seats and winning two mayoral contests. Reform has now taken control of seven councils, including previously Labour-held areas like Durham, as well as the largest counties of Kent and Lancashire. The party's success was most notable in areas that voted for Brexit in 2016, but they also managed to win support in remain-voting areas. In a projection by the BBC, Reform was credited with 30% of the vote, surpassing Ukip's peak popularity in 2013. This marks the first time a party other than the Conservatives or Labour has come out on top in such a projection. Both the Conservatives and Labour faced disappointing results, with the Conservatives losing two-thirds of the seats they were defending and potentially only retaining control of Buckinghamshire. Labour also suffered losses, but managed to secure wins in three mayoral elections. On the other hand, the Liberal Democrats saw success with over 100 net gains, particularly in targeted councils like Devon and Shropshire. The Greens also made modest gains in the election. The local elections have sparked discussions about the future of Conservative and Labour dominance in British politics. The rise of Reform indicates a potential shift in the political landscape. Analysis by Patrick English, Steve Fisher, Robert Ford, and Lotte Hargrave. Chris Mason: Bruised Tories and Labour left working out how to tackle Reform Who won the local election in my area? Andrea Jenkyns: Ex-Greggs worker with knack for bouncing back Why Lincolnshire turned a lighter shade of blue Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to keep up with the inner workings of Westminster and beyond. conservative, labour, reform, local, elections