Reform surge stuns Labour in Redditch

The Labour Party has lost overall control of Redditch Borough Council - after voters surged towards Reform UK in the local elections.

Reform won eight of the nine seats that were up for grabs overnight, meaning the authority is now in 'no overall control' for the first time since 2008.

It was also a tough night for the Conservatives and the Greens, with both parties making no gains and losing a seat each to Reform.

Nic Pioli, secretary of Reform's Redditch branch, said: "People have voted decisively for change - and that's what we are all about."

The results overnight mean there are now 13 Labour councillors on the authority, eight from Reform, four from the Conservatives and two independents.

There were audible gasps when some of the results were declared, with Reform polling more than 1,000 votes in some wards - more than double that of Labour or the Tories in several areas.

Turnout was also at a historical high - including 47% in Webheath and Callow Hill, 45% in Feckenham and 43% in Headless Cross.

Donna Westwood, chair of Redditch Reform, said: "We're ecstatic - we could not be any more overjoyed.

"It's clear to see that voters have made their choice for Reform. People wanted change with the Labour Government, but they haven't seen that, they've been left frustrated."

Pioli added: "People want hope and we are giving them that - I've been campaigning for weeks and I saw this result coming, I know what people were telling me on the doorsteps.

"Voters in Redditch have decided they want a better future, they want change."

It was a bruising night for Labour, although it is still the largest party in the town.

The party was defending six of the nine seats that were up for grabs, and only managed to retain one.

Labour Councillor Sharon Harvey, the leader, said: "It's disappointing but not completely unexpected.

"We could see what way the mood was going. There are people who don't like Keir Starmer, but I don't think now is the time to make a change when we've only been in power for two years nationally."

Labour Councillor Gary Slim, who retained his seat in the Central ward, said: "It may be that people are fed up with the two main parties.

"When you are in power, you tend to screw up - Reform haven't been in power yet and haven't had the chance to screw up, but if they get in nationally then they will."

It has been a long time since Redditch Borough Council has been in this position, with no party in overall control - in the last 18 years it has swung between Labour and Conservative control.

This bellwether town clearly has a new challenger - Reform UK, which holds every county council seat, and now eight borough council seats in the town.

Reform is now the main opposition to Labour on the authority, but some way off Labour's 13 seats.

Reform could attempt a coup, but it would only be possible if they had support from the four Tory councillors and both independents.

And it would only take the support of one independent for Labour to push policies through, making it by far the most likely scenario.

Before these elections Councillor Craig Warhurst, the leader of the Conservative group, suggested he would be open to such talks - but what he didn't factor in was his party making no gains and losing a seat.

It certainly makes the political balance interesting, two years out from a seismic reform of local government which will see the authority abolished in 2028.

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