Reform UK secures first council seats in Exeter, Isle of Wight, Norfolk

Reform UK has made significant gains in local elections across England, winning its first seats on Exeter City Council, Isle of Wight Council, and Norfolk County Council. In Exeter, Tony Payne captured the Mincinglake and Whipton seat from Labour, marking the party’s first representation on the council, though Labour retained its majority by holding onto the Topsham seat. On the Isle of Wight, David Maclean secured Reform UK's inaugural council seat by winning the Lake North by-election. In Norfolk, Reform UK took the Thetford West Division on the county council from Labour, as well as a district council seat in Thetford Priory previously held by Labour. These victories reflect a broader trend of Reform UK increasing its presence in local government, often at the expense of Labour. Despite these gains, Labour managed to maintain control of several key seats, including a narrow one-vote victory in Norwich's Bowthorpe ward.