ELECTIONS across the country saw more than 5,000 seats up for grabs in 136 local authorities as people in England took to the polls in one of the largest votes since 2024.
Nationally, Reform councillors have picked up considerable gains in numbers, largely as a result of the party’s still relatively new status after undergoing a rebrand in 2021.
As of 7am today, Friday, May 8, more than 300 Reform UK councillors have already been elected, largely in areas previously considered Labour strongholds, such as in the north of England.
Councils such as Tameside and Hartlepool are among those to already have seen power shift from Labour, predominantly as a result of only one-third of seats being up for re-election in most councils.
Here in Reading, however, a surge in votes for the party failed to produce results, as not a single councillor for the party made it past the mark in any of the 16 wards.
The vote saw some of the highest turnout in recent years, with more than 41% of the electorate registering their ballots.
This is a rise of around a third compared to the last two elections, and one ward seeing a turnout of just under 60%.
In total, 17 places were up for re-election– one for each ward in the town, plus an extra in Caversham, as a result of the by-election triggered by the stepping down of of Labour councillor Sam Juthani.
Reform did lose a seat in Emmer Green to the Conservatives, however this was the seat held by Clarence Mitchell, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform back in January.
Overall, Labour’s hold on the council has slipped–while it only conceded three seats, all three of them were long-standing councillors and department leads.
This included Adele Barnett-Ward, Leisure and Culture Lead since 2022, who lost out to The Greens’ David Clarke in Thames.
Meanwhile Environmental Services and Community Safety Lead Cllr Karen Rowland lost out to Jacqueline Dominguez, also of the Green Party, over in Abbey.
Lead Councillor for Corporate Services & Resources Ellie Emberson lost out to Richard Walkem in Coley Ward, which proved one of the closest margins of the night.
Following a recount, it was confirmed that Cllr Emberson was just 9 votes behind the incumbent Cllr Walkem.
While Labour did gain the Battle Ward seat, previously held by Independent Cllr Sarah Hacker, who was not up for re-election.
However this was mitigated by a Conservative gain from Labour over in Caversham Heights, as well as retaining the other seat on the ballot in that ward.
Elswhere, Labour held onto seats in Church, Caversham, Kentwood, Norcot, Southcote, and Whitley wards.
As well as gaining three Labour seats, all three of those the Green Party were defending– Park, Redlands, and Katesgrove– were retained, including the party’s leader, Cllr Rob White, whose vote share more than tripled that of the next candidate.
The Liberal Democrats held on to the only seat of theirs up for re-election, Tilehurst, with Cllr Meri O’Connell keeping her position.
Across England, early results are showing a mixed picture, but–despite some considerable, long-standing lead councillors failing to secure re-election–Reading Borough Council remains a Labour majority.
Of the 48 councillors, 29 are of the Labour Party, while the Greens have firmed up their status as the party of opposition locally, with 11.
There are now five Conservative councillors, and three Liberal Democrats.
Green Party Cllr Katherine McCann, who held onto her seat in Redlands, said:” I’m still shell-shocked, as we were concerned that Labour would do well tonight.
“I feel honoured that people have again put their faith in us to represent them; the Green Party is seeing something of a bubble at the moment, there’s been an up-swell of support.
“But we have to follow through with that, especially with brand new councillors taking the place of lead councillors who have worked really hard for years.”
She continued: “We really have to work hard and show our worth–we have to work slowly and sensibly to avoid crashing; it has to be that steady progression.
“Especially as there’s so much negativity coming from Reform, which can be very offensive. People want to see that actually we work hard, that we genuinely care about our area, and that we are actually making a difference.”
Labour Cllr Liz Terry, Leader of the Council, said following the final result announcement: “I’m really disappointed to lose such hard-working colleagues in Adele Barnett-Ward, Karen Rowland, and Ellie Emberson.
“They have all worked incredibly hard for the town, and yet here tonight, they’ve faced this decision.
She explained: “It’s been a difficult time for Labour across the country: while we gained a seat here and increased some of those marginals, I’m also pleased that Reading has largely rejected divisive politics of Reform–I think it says a lot about our town.”
“Now is the time for us to get on with what we promised through our campaign: filling in potholes, making sure the bins get collected, opening our marvellous new Central Library, and all of the other things we’re here to do.”
Election results are still coming in across the country over the coming hours and days.
