Story perspectives

Reform UK Wins Dozen Councils, Ousts Labour Leaders

5/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Reform UK became the largest party on a dozen councils in the May 2026 local elections, ousting Labour or Conservative leaders in Barnsley and Suffolk.
Michael Hadwen was elected to lead Reform UK’s Suffolk County Council on 29 May, while Essex leader Peter Harris has challenged the government reorganisation plan.
Reform UK heads councils such as Birmingham, Bradford and Barnsley after Jo Monk’s suspension in Worcestershire led to Alan Amos assuming leadership.

History

Historical Context

In the 2014 European Parliament election UKIP, led by Nigel Farage, won 27.5% of the UK vote and 24 MEPs, a non-Conservative/Labour win. It gained 163 council seats that year and took its first council majority in Thanet in 2015. That surge shows how fringe parties can turn breakthroughs into local control, a pattern echoed by Reform UK’s 2026 dominance of dozen councils under Michael Hadwen and Peter Harris.

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Story summary

Reform UK became the largest party on a dozen councils in the May 2026 local elections, ousting Labour or Conservative leaders in Barnsley and Suffolk.
Michael Hadwen was elected to lead Reform UK’s Suffolk County Council on 29 May, while Essex leader Peter Harris has challenged the government reorganisation plan.
Reform UK heads councils such as Birmingham, Bradford and Barnsley after Jo Monk’s suspension in Worcestershire led to Alan Amos assuming leadership.

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