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London, UK — Nigel Farage has declared a major political shift in Britain as Reform UK recorded unprecedented victories in Thursday’s local elections, disrupting the traditional two-party dominance of Labour and the Conservatives.
Reform UK secured control of 10 local councils, won two mayoral races, and added a fifth MP through the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, marking what Farage called “the end of two-party politics” in post-war Britain.
Meanwhile, both Labour and the Conservatives are facing internal pressures and strategic rethinking. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer admitted voters are yet to feel the benefits of his party’s leadership, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch promised to rebuild trust and restore her party’s credibility.
“No one has ever beaten both Labour and the Tories in a local election before — until now,” Farage said.
Labour & Tory Fallout: Resignations, Reflections, and Strategy Shifts
Labour faced criticism from within, especially over controversial cuts to winter fuel payments, with MP Rachael Maskell calling for policy reversals to regain public trust. Starmer responded in The Times, stating that now is the time to “crank up the pace” to deliver for everyday people.
Badenoch, writing in The Telegraph, expressed deep regret over the loss of 674 council seats and all 16 local authorities her party was defending, blaming the long Conservative tenure and lingering fallout from previous leadership.
“I’m deeply sorry to see so many capable, hard-working Conservative councillors lose their seats,” she wrote.
Despite losses, the Tories managed to take Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoralty from Labour.
Former Conservative council leader Roger Gough acknowledged the party remains under the “shadow” of its time in government and must now balance long-term policy reform with immediate public appeal.
Lib Dems, Greens Rise in Multi-Party Shake-Up
The Liberal Democrats emerged as another big winner, gaining 163 council seats, taking control of Shropshire, Oxfordshire, and Cambridgeshire, and becoming the largest party in Hertfordshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Devon.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey claimed the title of “party of Middle England,” while spokesperson Munira Wilson emphasized the party’s commitment to local services, global diplomacy, and opposition to figures like Donald Trump.
The Green Party also gained traction with 44 new seats, continuing a trend of consistent growth. Baroness Jenny Jones predicted a new era of “five-party politics,” opening the door for voters to choose policies aligned with their values, not just party loyalty.
