Reform UK storms to victory in Lancashire

The party won 53 of the county council’s 84 seats as it swept to power, unseating both Conservative and Labour local leaders.

Reform, which performed strongly across the country at Thursday’s local and mayoral elections, stormed to victory in Lancashire, taking control of the county council.

Reform had no seats on the council prior to the polls opening but has already won more than the 43 required to form a majority. At the time of writing, Reform has won 52 seats, the Tories have eight and Labour has five.

The Conservatives held 48 of the council’s 84 seats ahead of the election, with Labour occupying 27 of the remaining 36.

Among those to lose their seats is leader Phillippa Williamson, who narrowly lost out to Reform’s Graham Dalton by just 29 votes.

Earlier in the day Reform candidate Sarah Pochin edged out her Labour party opponent in the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary by-election to become the party’s fifth MP.

Reform also swept to victory in the Greater Lincolnshire by-election and also has full control of Durham, Staffordshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire county councils.