politics
Nigel Farage hails ‘historic shift in politics’ after Reform UK election gains
Party has success in Labour and Tory heartland areas but one pollster says results suggest Reform may have peaked
TL;DR
- Nigel Farage declared Reform UK's election wins a "historic shift in British politics."
- Reform UK took control of Essex county council, Havering, and Sunderland city council.
- The party made advances in areas previously held by Labour and the Conservatives.
- Reform established beachheads for the next general election in areas like Essex.
- One pollster suggested Reform may have peaked, citing a dip in vote share compared to the previous year.
- Reform's vote share grew most in areas with greater socioeconomic deprivation.
- Despite gains, some targets like Bexley council and seats in Harlow were not secured.
- Reform was on course for a breakthrough in the Welsh Senedd elections, but Plaid Cymru was forecast to become the largest party.