Conservatives Lose Control of Multiple Councils Amid Reform UK Surge

Local elections across England have seen significant losses for the Conservative Party, with Reform UK making major gains and, in some cases, overtaking the Tories as the largest party on councils such as Worcestershire, Lincolnshire, and Staffordshire. In Hertfordshire, the Conservatives lost control of county council seats, with the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK both making notable advances, and Labour also gaining ground in some areas. The surge for Reform UK has been described as an 'earthquake' by local party spokespeople, reflecting widespread disillusionment with the traditional parties, particularly among former Conservative voters. Kemi Badenoch, a senior Conservative figure, acknowledged the scale of the losses and framed them as part of a difficult but necessary 'renewal' process for her party. The Liberal Democrats also capitalized on Conservative losses, especially in Watford and Devon, while the Greens and independents made smaller but significant gains. Overall, no single party has secured outright control in several councils, leaving them under no overall control and emphasizing a fragmented political landscape.