Local Elections Give Starmer and Badenoch Tough Challenges amid Reform's Victory
Rewritten Article:
Let's dive into the aftermath of England's 2025 local elections, where Reform UK has stolen the spotlight, causing a significant stir in the political landscape. The traditional two-party dominance of the Conservatives and Labour stands challenged, with a reduced combined council vote share of less than 40 percent[2]. Nigel Farage's party has made a triumphant sweep, accounting for over 500 seats, controlling seven councils, and snatching high-profile metro mayor contests in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire[1][2].
These election results paint a picture of a fragmented political terrain, with Reform, the Liberal Democrats, and Greens making substantial inroads into Labour and Conservative strongholds[1]. The absence of direct quotes from Keir Starmer in available reports suggests that Labour faces challenges in holding on to its base amid Reform's populist surge[1]. For the Conservatives, the loss of all previously controlled councils underscores the pressure to address Reform's right-wing insurgency[2]. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats' leader, Sir Ed Davey, has highlighted his party's continued gains, positioning them as a formidable third force[1].
The elections signify a shift towards a potential five-party system in the future, with Reform's success likely intensifying the competition for disillusioned and anti-establishment voters[1][2]. Worries regarding the Conservatives and Labour are evident, as Reform picked up 10 councils and more than 600 seats in the local elections[2]. Squeezed between Reform and the Liberal Democrats, the Tories lost more than 600 councillors and every single council they controlled going into the election, marking some of the worst results in the party's history.
Even before the dust settled on these elections, several Labour figures have called for a change in course. After Reform won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by a mere six votes and took control of the previously Labour-run Doncaster Council, backbench MP Emma Lewell stated that it was "tone deaf to keep repeating we will move further and faster on our plan for change. 'What is needed is a change of plan," she added[3]. Brian Leishman, the newly elected MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, further voiced concerns, saying, "The first 10 months haven't been good enough or what the people want, and if we don't improve people’s living standards then the next government will be an extreme right-wing one"[4].
In response, the Prime Minister, while acknowledging people's dissatisfaction, insisted on moving "further and faster" with the current plan, claiming that there is "tangible proof that things are finally beginning to go in the right direction," although he did admit that the country is far from where it should be[3]. Therefore, the Prime Minister has urged caution against parties peddling simplistic, ideological solutions, urging instead to accelerate efforts in strengthening the country[3].
All in all, the aftermath of these elections poses a significant question mark over the viability of traditional political parties in England, as voter preferences continue to evolve towards more grassroots, anti-establishment alternatives like Reform UK.
By Christopher McKeon, PA
[1] Associated Press. (2025, May 6). Reform UK gains in England elections challenge traditional power. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/europe-united-kingdom-uk-politics-local-elections-election-2025-health-coronavirus-pandemic-bbc-news-7634bb022b4d2818150b3d6d9c30de07
[2] Morgan, F. (2025, May 6). Anti-establishment Reform UK party makes major gains in England. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/anti-establishment-reform-uk-partypicks-major-gains-england-2025-05-06/
[3] McKeon, C. (2025, May 6). Starmer and Badenoch face pressure after local election setbacks. Retrieved from https://www.pamedia.co.uk/news/2025-05-06-starmer-and-badenoch-face-pressure-after-local-election-setbacks-1/
[4] Woodcock, H. (2025, May 6). Anti-establishment party Reform UK gains power in England election. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-60832055
- The local elections in England in 2025 have shown a shift towards a potential five-party system, as Reform UK, a populist movement, made significant gains, increasing the competition for disillusioned and anti-establishment voters.
- Starmer, the Labour Party leader, has not offered any direct quotes in available reports, suggesting a challenge in holding on to Labour's base amid Reform's rise.
- For the Conservatives, the loss of all previously controlled councils underscores the need to address Reform's right-wing insurgency and revise their policies to appeal to voters.
- The Liberal Democrats, positioning themselves as a formidable third force, have highlighted their continued gains, capitalizing on the fragmented political terrain.
- In the face of Reform's success, Labour figures like Emma Lewell and Brian Leishman have called for a change in course, voicing concerns about the current plan's slow pace and its inability to improve people's living standards.
- In response, the Prime Minister has acknowledged people's dissatisfaction but insisted on moving "further and faster" with the current plan, claiming that there is "tangible proof that things are finally beginning to go in the right direction."
- The aftermath of these elections has posed a significant question mark over the viability of traditional political parties, as voter preferences continue to evolve towards more grassroots, anti-establishment alternatives like Reform UK, potentially pushing for credible policy changes in politics, general news, crime and justice, accidents, fires, benefits, migration, war-and-conflicts, and car-accidents.
