Reform UK Wins Northern England Overturn Decades Labour Control 2026

Nigel Farage chose Sunderland for the launch of Reform UK’s local election campaign because, he said, it was where he had first sensed the “big political earthquake” underfoot. A decade ago next month, the city was the first to declare its vote in the Brexit referendum – a thumping 61% opting to leave the EU – and the aftershocks are still being felt across Labour’s heartlands. Now, a seismic shift has occurred: Reform UK has won hundreds of council seats across northern England, overturning decades of Labour control in Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside, and Barnsley.

The Scale of the Collapse

From the Lancashire coast to Roker pier, Labour’s “red wall” suffered an astonishing collapse on Friday. In what will be one of the keenest-felt defeats, Labour lost control in Barnsley for the first time in the council’s 52-year history. In Sunderland, Reform UK won 58 of the 75 seats up for grabs, leaving Labour with just five councillors after starting the day with 48 on the council it has run since 1974.

The results were ominous for several of the party’s big beasts. In Wigan, the constituency of the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, Reform UK won all but one of the 25 seats up for grabs, while Labour won none. In Tameside, a borough spanning the constituencies of the former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and the chief whip, Jonathan Reynolds, Labour also lost control.

Why Voters Are Switching

In the town of Houghton-le-Spring, south of Sunderland, Denise Ralph, 67, said she and her husband had ditched Labour for the first time to vote for Reform UK – and nor were they sentimental about it. “I’m sick of Labour, sick of them not getting things done,” she said, round the corner from the constituency office of Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary. Among Ralph’s complaints were taxes on small business and the state of the high street.

Her husband, Brian Ralph, 69, added: “Labour’s not working so we wanted to try a change. In the general election we will probably vote for Reform again.” At Just the Sound record store, owner Stewart Smith, 79, said he was sad about the collapse of the historic Labour vote in the former shipyards and pit villages. Like many around here, Smith had voted Labour all his life – but opted for the Greens on Thursday. “Keir Starmer is a nice honest fella, but he’s not a politician. I mean, ha’way,” he said, listing Labour’s missteps from the winter fuel allowance to the Peter Mandelson scandal.

Key Factors Behind the Reform Surge

Several factors have driven this political earthquake, according to analysts and voter interviews:

• Brexit betrayal: Many Leave voters feel Labour has abandoned the promise of a prosperous post-Brexit future.
• Economic discontent: Rising taxes, high inflation, and declining high streets have fueled anger.
• Local neglect: Voters feel ignored by a Westminster-centric Labour leadership.
• Charismatic leadership: Nigel Farage’s populist appeal resonates in working-class communities.

Historical Context

To understand the magnitude of this shift, consider that Sunderland had been under Labour control since 1974. Barnsley had never seen a non-Labour council in its 52-year history. The “red wall” – a term used to describe traditionally safe Labour seats in northern England – was first breached in the 2019 general election when the Conservatives won many of these constituencies. Now, Reform UK is finishing what the Tories started, eroding Labour’s base at the local level.

What This Means for the General Election

Political experts warn that these local election results are a dire portent for Labour ahead of the next general election. If Reform UK can replicate this success in parliamentary seats, Labour could lose dozens of its safest constituencies. The party’s leadership is now under intense pressure to address the grievances of working-class voters who feel abandoned. Meanwhile, Reform UK’s newly elected councillors include controversial figures, such as a man who appeared to say in 2024 that Nigerians in the city should be melted down to “fill in the pot holes,” and a pub singer who rose to minor local fame for singing Sexbomb on ITV’s Benidorm.

FAQ

What is Reform UK?

Reform UK is a right-wing populist political party in the United Kingdom, founded by Nigel Farage. It emerged from the Brexit Party and focuses on issues like immigration control, lower taxes, and national sovereignty.

Why did Labour lose so many seats in northern England?

Labour lost seats due to a combination of factors: perceived betrayal of Brexit promises, economic hardship, neglect of local communities, and a lack of trust in leader Keir Starmer. Many lifelong Labour voters switched to Reform UK out of frustration.

Could this affect the next general election?

Yes, these local results are seen as a strong indicator of voter sentiment. If Reform UK continues to gain momentum, it could split the vote in many Labour-held constituencies, potentially allowing the Conservatives to win or forcing Labour to form coalitions.