UK 2025 Local Elections: Reform UK Sweeps Councils, Labour Stumbles, Turnout Hits Record Low, Challenging Two-Party System

The results of the UK local elections held on 1 May 2025 have sent shockwaves across the nation, with Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform UK party securing a landslide victory, claiming 677 seats, or 41% of the total 1,641 seats. This election not only marks a historic breakthrough for Reform UK but also delivers a severe blow to the governing Labour Party, exposing its vulnerabilities in the early stages of its term. With turnout plummeting to 29.5%, a record low, voter apathy has reached new heights. As the Labour Party, victorious in the July 2024 general election, faces roughly four years in power (until 2029), this electoral setback sounds a warning for its future governance. Analysts suggest the results could undermine the UK’s century-long two-party system.

Election Results: Reform UK Surges, Labour Loses Ground

According to BBC and The Independent, the election covered 23 local councils in England, totalling 1,641 seats, alongside six mayoral elections and one parliamentary by-election. The final seat distribution is as follows:

2025 UK Local Election Seat Distribution
=======================================
Reform UK (677)       █████████████
Liberal Democrats (370) ███████
Conservatives (319)   ██████
Labour (98)           ██
Green Party (79)      █
Independents & Others (89) ██
=======================================
(█ = approx. 50 seats)

Seat changes compared to 2021 are:

• Reform UK: 677 seats (+648)
• Liberal Democrats: 370 seats (+146)
• Conservatives: 319 seats (-635)
• Labour: 98 seats (-198)
• Green Party: 79 seats (+41)
• Independents & Others: 89 seats (-20)

Reform UK’s victories spanned central and northern England, from Lincolnshire to Staffordshire, and even penetrated Labour’s traditional strongholds like Doncaster, with a national vote share estimated at 30.69%. The Conservatives suffered a catastrophic defeat, losing all 15 councils they previously controlled, with seats plummeting from 954 in 2021 to 319. Labour, as the governing party, fared poorly, losing 198 seats and retaining only 98, ceding key strongholds including Doncaster. The Liberal Democrats saw steady gains, particularly in southern and southwestern areas (e.g., Oxfordshire, Shropshire), poaching votes from the Conservatives, while the Green Party secured modest gains among progressive voters.

Mayoral Elections: Labour Clings to Three Seats, Reform UK Claims Two

The election included six mayoral contests, including first-time elections in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. Results are as follows:

• Greater Lincolnshire: Reform UK’s Dame Andrea Jenkyns won with 104,133 votes (42%), defeating Conservative Rob Waltham (64,585 votes, 26%), becoming the region’s first mayor.
• Hull and East Yorkshire: Reform UK’s former Olympic boxer Luke Campbell secured 36% of the vote, defeating the Liberal Democrats (21%), Labour (20%), and Conservatives (15%), becoming the region’s first mayor.
• Doncaster: Labour’s Ros Jones retained the mayoralty with a narrow 698-vote margin over Reform UK, with a turnout of about 30.15%.
• North Tyneside: Labour’s candidate held the mayoralty with a slim 444-vote lead over Reform UK.
• West of England: Labour’s candidate won with 51,197 votes, beating Reform UK (45,252), the Green Party (41,094), and Conservatives (34,092), securing a 5,949-vote margin.
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough: Conservative Paul Bristow won with 60,243 votes (28%), defeating Reform UK’s Ryan Coogan (49,647 votes, 23%), wresting the seat from Labour.

The mayoral results highlight Reform UK’s strong performance in new regions, capturing two newly established seats and posing a serious threat in Labour-held areas like Doncaster and North Tyneside. Labour narrowly retained three seats but lost Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, underscoring its waning local influence.

Parliamentary By-Election: Labour Loses Another Seat

In the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary by-election, Reform UK’s Sarah Pochin won with 38.7% of the vote, edging out Labour by just 6 votes, overturning Labour’s previous 14,000-vote majority. The turnout was 46.33%, significantly higher than the national average, making this by-election a symbol of Reform UK’s rise and a direct blow to Labour’s parliamentary credibility.

Turnout Hits Record Low: Voter Apathy Deepens

The overall turnout was a mere 29.5%, down 6.4 percentage points from 2021’s 35.9%, marking a record low. The following chart compares seat distribution with turnout:

2025 UK Local Election Seat Distribution and Turnout Comparison
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Party                 Seats (2025)         Turnout
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Reform UK (677)       █████████████      2025: 29.5% | 2021: 35.9%
Lib Dems (370)        ███████           2025: 29.5% | 2021: 35.9%
Conservatives (319)   ██████            2025: 29.5% | 2021: 35.9%
Labour (98)           ██                2025: 29.5% | 2021: 35.9%
Green Party (79)      █                 2025: 29.5% | 2021: 35.9%
Independents & Others (89) ██            2025: 29.5% | 2021: 35.9%
=======================================
(█ = approx. 50 seats)
Turnout Note: 2025 overall turnout ~29.5%, down 6.4% from 2021’s 35.9%.
Regional Variations: Runcorn and Helsby by-election (46.33%) above average; Greater Lincolnshire (29.9%) below.

Regional turnout varied significantly: Runcorn and Helsby’s by-election saw 46.33%, while Greater Lincolnshire recorded 29.9% and North Lincolnshire just 23.98%. The drop in turnout reflects voter dissatisfaction with Labour’s governance (e.g., scrapping winter fuel payments, inheritance tax hikes) and disillusionment with Conservative leadership. In 2021, higher turnout (35.9%) was driven by public support for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, benefiting the Conservatives. The 2025 low turnout highlights voter apathy, particularly among Labour’s traditional base, indirectly fuelling Reform UK’s landslide.

Direct Impact on Labour: Governing Challenges with Four Years Ahead

As the governing party after securing 411 seats in the July 2024 general election, Labour, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has roughly four years left in its term (until 2029). The 2025 local election debacle poses significant challenges to its governance. Key impacts include:

1. Erosion of Local Influence:

• Labour lost 198 council seats, retaining only 98, ceding strongholds like Doncaster. This weakens Labour’s ability to implement local policies, such as social welfare or infrastructure projects, as it now controls fewer councils.
• In mayoral races, Labour lost Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and barely held onto Doncaster (698-vote margin) and North Tyneside (444-vote margin), signalling a fragile grip on key regions.
• The Runcorn and Helsby by-election loss further dents Labour’s parliamentary authority, exposing vulnerabilities in its northwestern heartlands.

1. Crisis of Voter Confidence:

• The results reflect widespread discontent with Labour’s early governance, particularly its economic and welfare policies. Scrapping winter fuel payments for pensioners and raising agricultural inheritance taxes have sparked controversy, with Reform UK and the Conservatives branding them a “betrayal of the working class.”
• The low turnout (29.5%) indicates Labour’s failure to mobilise its core voters, including young people and working-class communities, many of whom abstained due to policy dissatisfaction. This contrasts sharply with the 2024 general election’s 66% turnout, when Labour’s “change” narrative resonated widely.
• Reform UK’s gains in Labour’s red wall areas (e.g., Doncaster, Hull) directly siphon off its working-class base, with Reform’s anti-immigration and tax-cutting rhetoric appealing to disillusioned voters.

1. Internal Tensions and Leadership Scrutiny:

• The electoral setback may intensify internal criticism of Starmer’s leadership. Left-wing factions may argue that Labour’s centrist shift has alienated progressive voters, while moderates may demand tougher economic reforms to regain public trust.
• Labour must navigate a delicate balance between its left-wing ideals and appealing to centrist voters in the next four years, or risk further losses in the 2026 local elections, which could undermine its prospects for re-election in 2029.

1. Governing Challenges Over the Next Four Years:

• Policy Reassessment: Labour must urgently review its economic and welfare policies to rebuild voter trust. Restoring some welfare benefits or introducing tax relief for low- and middle-income households could help recover support.
• Local vs. National Governance: Losing council control limits Labour’s ability to advance national policies, such as NHS reforms or green energy initiatives, as it will face resistance from Reform UK- and Liberal Democrat-controlled councils.
• Countering Reform UK: Reform UK’s rise poses a long-term threat, with its populist agenda likely to continue eroding Labour’s working-class base. Labour must craft a compelling economic narrative and address immigration and cultural issues sensitively to stem further losses.
• 2026 Local Elections: As the next major electoral test, the 2026 elections offer Labour a chance to regain ground. Failure to reverse its decline could weaken its national image ahead of the 2029 general election.

Turnout’s Impact on Seat Distribution

The low turnout (29.5%) amplified Reform UK’s relative advantage, with its core supporters showing stronger mobilisation in a low-participation environment. For instance, in Greater Lincolnshire (29.9% turnout), Reform UK won the mayoralty and most council seats, while in the higher-turnout Runcorn and Helsby by-election (46.33%), it narrowly defeated Labour. Labour’s loss of 198 seats reflects its voters’ abstention, particularly in red wall areas, driven by policy discontent. The Conservatives lost 635 seats, their base eroded by Reform UK. The Liberal Democrats gained 146 seats, demonstrating effective targeting in Conservative strongholds, while the Green Party saw steady growth among progressive voters.

Party Performance and Policy Implications

• Reform UK’s Triumph: Reform UK’s anti-immigration, tax-cutting, anti-net-zero, and patriotic policies resonated in Conservative and Labour heartlands. Farage is now seen by some as a potential future prime minister, reflecting the rise of right-wing populism akin to the US Republican model.
• Conservative Collapse: Following their 2024 general election rout (121 seats), the Conservatives, led by Kemi Badenoch, face a leadership crisis, with 635 seats lost to Reform UK’s encroachment.
• Labour’s Struggles: Less than a year into its term, Labour faces a voter backlash over its economic and welfare policies, with low turnout exacerbating its losses.
• Liberal Democrats and Greens: The Liberal Democrats capitalised on Conservative decline, while the Greens gained modestly among progressives, but neither could match Reform UK’s momentum.

Long-Term Political Implications

The election is a turning point for UK politics. Reform UK’s rise challenges the Labour-Conservative duopoly, with its policies and mobilisation potentially reshaping future elections. For Labour, the next four years will be a test of its ability to balance economic, welfare, and immigration policies to rebuild trust and counter Reform UK’s threat. The Conservatives, unable to unify right-wing voters, risk further marginalisation. The persistent decline in turnout signals a broader crisis of confidence in mainstream parties.

Conclusion

The 2025 local elections are not just a triumph for Reform UK but a stark warning for Labour’s governance. With 677 seats, two new mayoral posts, and a by-election upset, Reform UK is redrawing the UK’s political map. Labour’s loss of 198 seats, retention of only three mayoral posts by slim margins, and defeat in the by-election highlight its challenges: dwindling local influence, a voter confidence crisis, and Reform UK’s growing threat. The 29.5% turnout underscores the urgency for all parties to reconnect with voters. As the 2026 local elections and 2029 general election loom, Labour’s path forward will be fraught with challenges, and the UK’s political turbulence seems only to have begun.