Labour’s Barnsley Turnaround Signals a National Shift

In the May 2026 local elections, Reform UK swept Barnsley council, winning 42 seats and leaving Labour with just 11 – the party’s worst local performance in more than half a century. One hundred days later, with Andy Burnham now prime minister, Labour has won two of three seats in a Penistone East council byelection and is confident of taking the third. A YouGov poll released on the Monday after the elections shows Labour at 24 % and Reform at 22 %, giving Labour a two-point national lead.

The GuardianThe IndependentAndy Burnham – The Labour Party

Labour had administered Barnsley council continuously since its creation in 1974, earning the Local Government Chronicle and Municipal Journal “council of the year” awards in 2023 and ranking seventh in the MJ’s Impower Index. The May 2026 vote was described as a “catastrophic” rebuke that triggered Keir Starmer’s resignation; Andy Burnham was elected Labour leader uncontested and became prime minister after a landslide byelection victory.

The Guardian

• Council composition after May 2026: Reform UK 42 seats, Labour 11 seats.

The Guardian

• YouGov poll (Monday): Labour 24 % vs Reform 22 % (two-point lead).

The Guardian

• Penistone East byelection (Thursday): Labour won two of three seats; party officials say they are “confident we will win” the remaining seat.

The Guardian

Polling expert Lord Hayward noted, “There is no question in my mind that Reform have been surpassed by Labour already, and I’m quite surprised how fast they’re falling and that they might be surpassed by the Tories in the near future as well.”

The Independent

• “I knew that it would be the most challenging set of elections that we’ve ever faced in Barnsley’s history,” — the council

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• “I’m not saying they’re rushing out to suddenly say: ‘Yeah, we love Labour and we’re going to be voting for you en masse’,” — James Higginbottom, said the councillor

The Guardian

• “Reform did well when people could only judge their promises. Unfortunately for them, their actions will now be judged too.” — Stephanie Peacock

The Guardian

• “There is no question in my mind that Reform have been surpassed by Labour already, and I'm quite surprised how fast they're falling and that they might be surpassed by the Tories in the near future as well.” — Lord Hayward

The Independent

• “And so therefore yes – he has provided the motor for their rise, and unfortunately for Reform, he is currently providing the motor for their decline.” — Peter Kellner, former president of polling company YouGov

The Independent

Labour officials plan to double voter contact in Penistone East before the upcoming Thursday byelection, aiming to secure the final council seat and test whether the early signs of a Labour resurgence can translate into lasting control of the borough.

The Guardian