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Early English council results show Reform gains, Labour losses

politicsMay 8, 20261452

Early English council counts show Reform UK making seat gains while Labour records losses in initial tallies. Dozens of council and mayoral contests across England have yet to declare results, so the picture remains partial. Counting in Scotland and Wales begins Friday, meaning national outcomes there will not be known until later. Those early gains matter because a rise for Reform UK and setbacks for Labour reshape momentum and signal shifting voter sentiment in parts of England ahead of future national elections.

Caroline Dodds Pennock
@carolinepennock.bsky.social

Do I hate it that the headlines are 'Reform surges in English council elections'? Yes. Do I think that people who vote for them are, at best, deeply unwise? Also yes. But do I think that it's actually much worse than THIS off-the-deep-end Conservative Party winning the same seats? Not really.

222h ago
David McFadyen
@dave8001.bsky.social

I voted tactically in Scotland to keep reform out. I’m hoping others did so too. Seeing the English Council election results coming in is filling me with dread for today, but also with dread for the future of the UK that we’re significantly stuck in.

112h ago
LittleGravitas, →EU immigrant, UK→ emigrant, anti-Brexit
@catanonim.me

I suspect I will be saying — actually, mostly thinking — with increased vehemence, over the coming days, how good it is not to live in the UK. https://labourlist.org/2026/05/live-updates-english-local-government-elections/

``` 06:57 – Labour loses Westminster to Conservatives Labour lost nine seats to the Tories in Westminster, resulting in the Conservatives taking power of the council. 06:19 – Labour holds Ealing Labour holds Ealing, remaining comfortably the largest party with 46 councillors elected for an historic fifth term. 06:05 – Labour loses Southampton to no overall control Labour have lost ten seats in Southampton, losing the council to no overall control. The Conservatives also lost four seats, while Reform gained eight, the Greens gained four and the Liberal Democrats gained two. 05:54 – Labour loses Wandsworth council to no overall control Labour have lost Wandsworth to no overall control. Labour lost seven seats to the Conservatives, leaving the council without a party majority. 05:45 – Labour holds Merton Labour holds Merton, gaining one seat in the process. 05:43 – Labour holds Plymouth, but loses seats Labour holds Plymouth however lost nine seats tonight, while the Tories lost six and Reform gained 14 and the Greens picked up one.
61h ago
LittleGravitas, →EU immigrant, UK→ emigrant, anti-Brexit2

And this (reposted on my TL) is much of why this is so. Nasty shite politicians (some of them) and complaisant MSM (most of them).

Imran Bristol
@imranicus.bsky.social

"Early English council results show Reform gains and Labour losses as counting yet to begin in Scotland and Wales" As expected Reform are making gains and Labour losses are mounting, Green gains seem more modest although the full picture won't be seen until later. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...

32h ago
Paolo Sandro
@paolosandro.bsky.social

'This result is a clear confirmation of the fact that support for Reform is heavily concentrated among those who support Brexit.' www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...

41h ago
Princess Buttercup ☠
@sckitupbttrcp.bsky.social

English council elections - Labour and the Conservatives are getting rinsed from all sides - Greens & LibDems, but particularly from the lowest common denominator, the fascists.

From Derry girls - that's the English for you. Fcking savages.
33h ago
richtnext.bsky.social
@richtnext.bsky.social

English local elections (2) Reform will also make significant gains. Possibly a little lower than the wildest expectations. A huge protest vote, with potentially little awareness of policy. In the next 2 years, scrutiny of Reform councils will erode their poll lead. Tories may show signs of life...

1Yesterday
Robert Beard
@arjay61.bsky.social

"There are plenty warning against a leadership contest right now, urging cool calm heads. But there are also party figures pointing the finger squarely at Starmer, with some saying it was his name that came up on the doorstep and he’s to blame for party’s plight." www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...

11h ago
Elio España
@elioespana.bsky.social

Good morning. One of those days in which I am torn from blissful fantasy, & asked to face the bleak truth that many, many of the friendly neighbours and smiling faces around me would like to put Nigel Farage and Richard Tice in charge of everything, inc. camps. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...

11h ago
Gaz Hay
@gazhay.com

I see a lot of hot-takes about english council results. They rarely tell us much - but england so wall2wall nonsense about extrapolation to GE. The real counts start today, scotland AND wales could return pro-indy parliaments. If they do, uk could finally be over

1h ago
Katy
@katywhitton.co.uk

All of you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Gammon Flag Shaggers🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 that voted for Reform (who probably aren't on this "woke" platform to be fair)... I hope you're ready to take in your elderly parents as their care homes close down and drive your kids to school as bus services are cut As they say, you reap what you sow

2h ago
Richard Shaw
@richardshaw.bsky.social

The single largest group in any English council elections is almost aways people who do not vote. This will include millions of people who vote in general elections. I get tired of the "split the vote" narrative, when people not seeing a reason to vote is a much bigger problem.

1h ago
Fruitysniff
@fruitysniff.bsky.social

This, in spite of the fact that every current Reform council has proven to be incompetent - I despair www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...

1h ago
RV 🇸🇩 🇺🇦 🇵🇸 🇮🇳 🇬🇧
@rave74.bsky.social

Results so far... Election results 2026 live: Reform gains seats and Labour suffers losses as first English councils declare - BBC News share.google/4LmJwA6baq9C...

2h ago
2 sources
bbc.comElection results 2026 live: Early English council results show Reform gains and Labour losses as counting yet to begin in Scotland and Walesbbc.co.ukElection results 2026 live: Early English council results show Reform gains and Labour losses as counting yet to begin in Scotland and Wales

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