Reform UK Wins Mayoral Race, Gains in Local Elections

Reform UK achieved a series of significant electoral breakthroughs in England's local elections, winning its first-ever directly-elected regional mayoralty in Greater Lincolnshire with Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a former Conservative MP, taking 42% of the vote. The party also made strong advances at the council level, notably sweeping five out of seven Kent County Council divisions in Swale and securing gains from both Labour and the Conservatives in early Northumberland and Hartlepool results. In North Tyneside, Labour narrowly held the mayoralty, but Reform finished a close second, reflecting a split electorate and erosion of traditional party dominance. Across several contests, Reform candidates cited voter dissatisfaction with the national status quo as a driving force behind their successes, while defeated incumbents argued that the elections were used as a referendum on national leadership rather than local issues. The results indicate growing support for Reform UK and suggest they could perform well in upcoming counts and future elections. Counting and announcements for additional councils and mayoralities continue, with Reform UK expressing optimism about further gains.