Reform U.K. Wins 1,454 Council Races, Seizing Scottish and Welsh Parliament Seats
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 27
Reform U.K. Wins 1,454 Council Races, Seizing Scottish and Welsh Parliament Seats
6 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 27
1,454 council victories in a single election day turned Reform U.K. from a protest movement into a major national force, while it also broke through in the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments.
Nigel Farage’s party surged past the Conservatives and took councils from Labour, extending the anti-immigration, nationalist politics that helped drive Brexit into local and devolved government.
The result gives Reform a plausible path to challenge for power at the next general election, due by 2029, and raises the prospect of Farage competing to become prime minister.
That advance still faces limits: Reform remains weak in big metropolitan areas such as London, is criticized for thin policy depth, and Farage recently faced scrutiny over an undeclared gift worth about $6.7 million.
From protest to power, can Reform U.K. govern effectively amid internal chaos and policy voids?
With its billionaire funding model now banned, can Nigel Farage's populist movement survive?
2026 UK Elections: Reform UK Breakthrough, Labour’s Historic Losses, and the End of Two-Party Dominance
Overview
The May 2026 local and devolved elections triggered a political earthquake across the United Kingdom, profoundly reshaping the political landscape. UK politics became highly fragmented as Reform UK made unprecedented gains, especially in England, while traditional parties like Labour and the Liberal Democrats suffered substantial losses. Reform UK's surge led to dramatic changes, such as the Liberal Democrats losing control of Hull council. This shift in voter allegiance highlights the emergence of Reform UK as a major force and signals a new era of multi-party competition, challenging the long-standing dominance of established parties.