Local Elections 2026

Its all gone very quiet on here today, is everyone in shock ....

In England, Reform is by far the biggest winner, with more than 1400 seats so far.
The Liberal Democrats have made minor gains (81 so far) and the Greens have made over 330 gains.
Meanwhile the Conservatives have lost over 520 seats, and Labour has been decimated, losing over 1300 (something like 60%).

Labour has also lost control of Wales, after 27 years.

[Mr K]

This is good news, the more Reform are exposed to delivering nothing when given the chance, than the sooner they are waved bye bye. Then Nige willl have to invent another party (again).

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Mr K

This is good news, the more Reform are exposed to delivering nothing when given the chance, than the sooner they are waved bye bye. Then Nige willl have to invent another party (again).

That may be your wish list, Mr K. But you conveniently (for you) ignore that your darling Labour have delivered less than nothing.

[Carth]

And Lo, a Great Shadow spread across the land, bringing forth much wailing and gnashing of teeth from those below the darkening skies.
In the far North and far West, new heroes arose to overthrow the tyrant that had enslaved them, while in the South and East, dark mutterings were whispered behind closed and bolted doors, knives being sharpened as the magic of the Red Wizard faded away.

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

That may be your wish list, Mr K. But you conveniently (for you) ignore that your darling Labour have delivered less than nothing.

Less than nothing isn't possible, nothing is what the Tories delivered in 14 years. Whilst I don't like Starmer I liked his pushback (eventually) against Trump. I can only imagine where we would be if Farage had been calling the shots. The Labour party as a whole have done OK despite what you read in the Mail and Torygraph. Despite not doing a good job of self publication Labour have improved rights for renters and overhauled planning laws and improved employment rights for those pesky workers amongst other things. Labour could do with a change of leadership definitely and these election results have hopefully been a wake up call.

[thenry]

Labour hold here but many neighbourhoods are now reform

https://election.news.sky.com/electi...6/crawley-4777

[nomadking]

Might not count as local elections, but the Scottish election results flatter the SNP. In at least 4 seats of the ones I've checked, if you combine the Conservative and Reform votes, then SNP would've lost at least 4 more seats instead of winning.

[Jaymoss]

People are voting Reform because the Tories and Labour are less than useless. I am really worried about the future of the NHS if Reform do eventually get into power

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

People are voting Reform because the Tories and Labour are less than useless. I am really worried about the future of the NHS if Reform do eventually get into power

Meanwhile i am more worried for the state of this country should Labour win the next Election. I live in a town where Labour have put us 2.3 billion in debt and refuse to acknowledge they have done anything wrong. They are still wasting millions on crazy get rich schemes and vanity projects.

Here are the key details as of 2026:Council Debt Forecast: Warrington Borough Council's debt was projected to rise to approximately £2.3 billion by 2026. This high level of borrowing has led to intense scrutiny of the council's investment strategies, which the council has defended as "sustainable" and asset-backed, with an estimated asset value of £2.3 billion as of 2022.Local Transport Grant: As part of a national funding plan, Warrington Borough Council has been allocated over £33 million in funding from a larger £2.3 billion national Local Transport Grant intended to boost economic growth between 2026/27 and 2029/30.Highway Infrastructure: The approximate replacement value of the Warrington highway network is also cited as £2.3 billion.Council Tax Impact: Due to financial pressures, residents in Warrington are facing significant council tax increases, with a 7.5% rise (around £140 per year) agreed for April 2026.Government Intervention: The UK government has expressed serious concerns over the council's debt-funded investments, leading to specialized reviews of its financial management.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy035kk1y7lo

https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk...gnation-calls/

The Labour magic money tree laid bare for all to see.

There’s no denying Reform made sweeping gains yesterday - however, I found BBC News constant referral to them as ”new kids on the block" amusing…

From 2013 - https://www.theguardian.com/politics...ocal-elections

Ukip makes huge gains in local government elections

Party enjoys biggest surge by fourth party since second world war as Tories blame protest against government policies

Ukip has delivered its strongest performance in local elections after making a series of gains across England.

In the biggest surge by a fourth party in England since the second world war, Ukip averaged 26% of the vote in council wards where it stood, according to a BBC estimate.

From 2014 - https://www.theguardian.com/politics...ories-lib-dems

Ukip delivers first tremors of political earthquake

Nigel Farage weakens Labour's grip in north as Tories lose control of flagship councils and Lib Dem vote collapses

Ukip has delivered the first tremors of the political earthquake promised by Nigel Farage as the party weakened Labour's grip in its northern heartlands and caused the Conservatives to lose control of at least eight flagship councils.

And if you’re going to say that Nigel Farage’s Reform UK isn’t the same party as Nigel Farage’s UKIP, or Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, you’re probably the sort of person who believes that a Thai-based bitcoin billionaire would give someone £5 million pounds and expect nothing in return…

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by daveeb

Less than nothing isn't possible, nothing is what the Tories delivered in 14 years. Whilst I don't like Starmer I liked his pushback (eventually) against Trump. I can only imagine where we would be if Farage had been calling the shots. The Labour party as a whole have done OK despite what you read in the Mail and Torygraph. Despite not doing a good job of self publication Labour have improved rights for renters and overhauled planning laws and improved employment rights for those pesky workers amongst other things. Labour could do with a change of leadership definitely and these election results have hopefully been a wake up call.

labour have delivered plenty,plenty of pain.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by daveeb

Less than nothing isn't possible, nothing is what the Tories delivered in 14 years. Whilst I don't like Starmer I liked his pushback (eventually) against Trump. I can only imagine where we would be if Farage had been calling the shots. The Labour party as a whole have done OK despite what you read in the Mail and Torygraph. Despite not doing a good job of self publication Labour have improved rights for renters and overhauled planning laws and improved employment rights for those pesky workers amongst other things. Labour could do with a change of leadership definitely and these election results have hopefully been a wake up call.

Well - less than nothing is possible when there is regression, which has occurred. There are fewer business than before, fewer employed people than before and negative growth.

So what did you do? Go off on a tangent.

Rights for renters are a cheats' charter and does nothing to assist economic growth. It'll take landlords out of the business and push rents high as supply dwindles.

Enhanced employment rights are fine when we are in economic prosperity, but day 1 rights are a business risk. It's socialist ideology imposed at a time when it's least needed.

Labour need to grow the economy before it's too late and there's no more business for us to win because other countries have gained it.

Why you aren't livid at Labour's desttruction of our economy shows the blinkers you are wearing.

[Taf]

Wales has been ruled over by a sometimes formal and sometimes informal coalition of the Left. And this will continue, but this time the head and tail of the snake have been swapped over.

Plaid demanded concessions from non-majority Labour to get their policies through, and now it will be Labour demanding concessions from non-majority Plaid. 52% of the seats went to Plaid and Labour, 48% did not.

Despite the move to PR, almost half the seats will have no power in the Arsembly, unless it is for something they all agree on.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by Taf

Wales has been ruled over by a sometimes formal and sometimes informal coalition of the Left. And this will continue, but this time the head and tail of the snake have been swapped over.

Plaid demanded concessions from non-majority Labour to get their policies through, and now it will be Labour demanding concessions from non-majority Plaid. 52% of the seats went to Plaid and Labour, 48% did not.

Despite the move to PR, almost half the seats will have no power in the Arsembly, unless it is for something they all agree on.

A more left wing party in charge, given the mess labour made , can't imagine what mess plaid will create.
The health service is a clear example. Two of use broke our legs in the same accident.my friend call for an ambulance etc. I call my health care practitioner. He waited 9 hours for the ambulance. I waited 10 minutes, l did offer to pay for him , it was my fault. Any way home the next day with help coming to me. He is still stuck in hospital awaiting home care to be sorted out. Really don't understand putting principles before comfort,

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

People are voting Reform because the Tories and Labour are less than useless. I am really worried about the future of the NHS if Reform do eventually get into power

I still think part of the problem is that no one is honest about the challenges the country faces and the trade-offs that need to be made. It's easy for people to be cynical about politics and believe populist policies from the Greens and Reform if they think there are easy ways to fix the problems in the country that successive governments have just decided not to do.

The lack of real growth since 2008 is killing us.