The 2025 local elections marked a significant moment in British politics. While headlines have focused on Reform UK’s rapid rise, the deeper story is one of political realignment, voter disillusionment, and the collapse of long-standing party loyalties.
For a full breakdown of the results, click here (link to BBC).
Reform’s gains may appear impressive on the surface — and in many ways they are — but behind the numbers lies a more nuanced picture.
As the dust settles, the true test begins: can Reform translate its effective campaigning machine into effective governance that delivers for people? And what does this mean for the Conservatives, Labour, and the broader UK political landscape going forward?
A Closer Look: A Big Win, But With an Even Bigger Asterisk.
Reform UK has pulled off what seemed unthinkable just a year ago: securing overall control of nine councils and two newly created strategic mayoral authorities (Hull and East Yorkshire and Greater Lincolnshire). In British local politics, that’s no small achievement. Credit where it’s due — that level of electoral progress deserves recognition.
But the biggest threat to Reform’s momentum may be the party itself.
Already, signs of overreach are emerging. Nigel Farage has warned council workers focused on climate policy, diversity, or hybrid working that they should “seek alternative careers very, very quickly.” This would raise questions if he were leading Durham Council — but he isn’t. Farage seems to believe that being party leader and an MP gives him sweeping powers over the authorities his party now governs. Though controlling parties usually reflect national party policy to some degree, ultimately, they are there to deliver for local communities – and are bound by employment law and other relevant legislation.
So yes, this was a good night for Reform in the polls, but the true test begins now: they have to govern effectively, with clear policies aligned to local people’s priorities, against unprecedented financial challenges and rising demand for councils.
Now comes the hard part: governing. Running a council isn’t about soundbites — it’s about managing services, budgets, and public expectations. It’s unglamorous, often thankless work that will test Reform’s ability to lead rather than provoke outrage.
Reform can no longer claim to be a party of protest. They now control councils and two combined authorities with Reform mayors. Yet, early signs suggest they may attempt to govern in a populist, confrontational style reminiscent of Trump.
Some Reform politicians have proposed creating so-called “DOGE” (Department of Government Efficiency) units to slash council budgets and staffing. However, this betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of local government – and voters’ concerns.
Councillors do not have authority over staffing or employment terms — these are the domain of senior officers and HR departments. Councillors set policy and budgets, not personnel rosters. Any attempt to circumvent this would quickly land any Reform UK administration in legal hot water.
Let’s not forget, local authority staff are some of the most unionised workers in the UK. Just ask Birmingham about its bin strikes. How will trade unions respond if Reform tries to dismiss or threaten staff illegally? What happens when services are cut? Industrial action could very well return to the forefront.
Can they deliver? Time will tell. But it’s fair to be sceptical.
A Wider Perspective: The Numbers Tell a Different Story
Step back and the picture looks very different.
Reform UK gained 677 council seats — a dramatic increase, but this only represents 3.4% of council seats in the country. Yes, the momentum appears to be with Reform, but none of the big, densely populated city regions like London, Birmingham, Greater Manchester, or West Yorkshire had elections this year. Next year’s results could tell a different story. Finally, of the six mayoral elections, Reform won just two.
So no, Britain hasn’t suddenly turned turquoise. The electoral map hasn’t shifted so much as been peppered with Reform dots.
Yet many political commentators are falling into a familiar trap. The same voices that once gushed over Boris Johnson are now gravitating toward Farage (and ironically, many of the seats lost by the Conservatives to Reform in this election were those won by Johnson in his post-Brexit heyday). And we all know how that turned out…
The Real Earthquake: The Conservative Collapse
As the party in government, of course many headlines focused on how the results were clear evidence of the end of Labour’s honeymoon period (if they ever had one). And Sir Keir Starmer certainly needs to look at the issues that people raised on the doorsteps with campaigns (such as the winter fuel allowance, which refuses to go away).
However, arguably the bigger story is the near-total collapse of the Conservative Party’s local base. Years of internal conflict, leadership churn, and lack of vision have taken a heavy toll.
Here’s the 2025 local election scoreboard:
- Reform UK: 677 seats (+677)
- Liberal Democrats: 370 seats (+163)
- Conservatives: 317 seats (–676)
- Labour: 99 seats (–186)
- Greens: 80 seats (+45)
Forget the Runcorn by-election — this is the real political earthquake. The Tories’ implosion opened the door for Reform to step in. But stepping through that door is just the beginning. Holding power is a different beast entirely.
Whilst Reform UK have promised to ensure its councils’ statutory responsibilities will remain, they were adamant that they would be reviewing everything else for value for money. Yet, with more councils on the verge of bankruptcy following years of national austerity policies – and with the obligation to main statutory services in critical areas such as children’s services and adult social care, will cuts end up falling on the council services that really matter to local people. Like bin collections, street lighting, road safety and street cleanliness.
You can read more on our thoughts about what a Reform UK-led council might look like here.
Final Thoughts: The Real Message of the Local Elections
This year’s local elections were undeniably significant. They marked the first semi-national verdict on the current UK government, and the results clearly show dissatisfaction.
But this isn’t about Reform’s successes. It’s about the Conservatives’ failure in government and Labour’s failure so far to set out a compelling vision and narratives that voters can believe in.
Reform capitalised on a power vacuum. Voters, hungry for short-term action, turned away from traditional parties offering long-term promises.
In 2024, Labour pledged a “decade of national renewal.” and voters rewarded them with a mandate for change. So far, that change is proving slow to deliver – and the effects of fiscal responsibility seem to be falling mostly on those with the least broad shoulders.
Reform filled the gap with noise, a savvy media campaign, and populist policy pledges that are easy to promise but harder to deliver. Disillusioned voters responded in kind. But is this just a spike in protest votes, or the start of a longer trend?
The UK has a long history of punishing ruling parties in local elections, only to stick with more mainstream parties in generals. There are four years until the next general election, and as recent global events make clear, that’s a long time indeed in 21st Century politics.
What Comes Next?
Next year’s elections — in Wales, Scotland, and across some of England’s local authorities — will be crucial.
If the UK Government begins to deliver tangible improvements, Reform’s support could shrink just as fast as it rose. And if Reform fails to deliver meaningful results in its newly won councils, public support could evaporate even further before the next general election.
As for the Conservatives, they face an existential challenge — unless they can reverse their decline, a return to government may remain out of reach. The solution? Perhaps a new leader or a fundamental repositioning of the party?
What is clear, just like with Reform UK, its Mayors will be crucial for the future success. If its Mayors, like Lord Ben Houchen in the Tees Valley and newly-elected Paul Bristow, can deliver, the Conservative Party can use them to show why the public should put their faith back in the Conservative Party. However, should they fail to, it will reinforce their decline.
By Sami Garrett, Account Manager
