Labour has suffered a gruesome defeat in a sweep of local council by-elections across Britain this week, as Reform UK and the Greens secure seats from Liberal Democrat heartlands.
From Lincolnshire to Liverpool, the Lib Dems were defending three of five available seats – holding onto two whilst gaining one from the Greens, as well as losing another to the same party.
Reform UK had never challenged four of the five regions before this by-election but managed to secure a seat in the one region where the party already had a stake, with two members already on the council.
Sir Keir Starmer's party were all but absent from the runnings, only fielding candidates in three of the five regions and garnering a mere fraction of votes where candidates did stand.
With time ticking for the Labour government amid a series of U-turns and scandals, the sentiment around the party has echoed across the nation – whereby voters are disregarding Labour-affiliated members of local authorities.
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The Beeches (Cotswold)
Lib Dem candidate Paul Evans has been elected to represent The Beeches ward on Cotswold District Council in a by-election triggered by the resignation of a party colleague.
Jane Portman, chief executive and returning officer of Cotswold District Council, said: "Thank you to everyone who stood, supported, and voted in The Beeches by-election.
"Your participation plays a vital role in shaping a lasting legacy for our district.
"We look forward to working with councillor Evans to champion the needs of residents, businesses, and communities in The Beeches ward and throughout the Cotswold district".
Liberal Democrat candidate Paul Evans has been elected to represent The Beeches ward on Cotswold District Council
|COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL
The newly-elected Lib Dem councillor scooped 52.7 per cent of the votes, a majority of 222 votes, with the Reform candidate coming in second with 22.7 per cent of the vote share.
The party is known for its tight grip on local authorities up and down the country and, by holding the seat with Mr Evans, retains its majority on the council.
Here, Labour garnered embarrassingly low support from voters, taking a mere 0.9 per cent of the vote share.
On a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the South Cotswolds constituency, represented by MP Roz Savage of the Liberal Democrats – further demonstrating the party's hold in the region.
This by-election was called after the resignation of Lib Dem councillor Nigel Robbins, who had served since 2015.
Aigburth (Liverpool)
Paul Ruddick became the latest representative for the Greens on the Liverpool City Council, beating out the Lib Dem candidate for the Aigburth seat in a closely contested by-election.
Upon victory, he said: “This is a seriously historic win for the Greens given how long this seat has been in Liberal Democrat control - we have chosen a new direction.
“I am incredibly grateful to people in Aigburth for voting for hope and action. Throughout this campaign, we heard one thing loud and clear: that people want to be listened to.
“I ran to make sure Aigburth has a dedicated, local voice on the city council, and I am ready to turn those thousands of doorstep conversations into local change.
"As we are seeing across the country, Greens can win, and Aigburth has proved it again".
Green Party councillor Paul Ruddick was elected in the Aigburth ward of Liverpool
|LIVERPOOL GREEN PARTY
The newly-elected Green councillor scooped 45.3 per cent of the votes, a majority of 145 votes, with Lib Dem candidate placing a hair behind with 36.9 per cent of the vote share.
The Greens are on the rise across the nation, notably winning the recent Gorton and Denton by-election from Labour.
Labour walked away with a mere 10.3 per cent, placing third overall – just a hair ahead of the reform candidate.
On a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the Liverpool Waverly constituency, represented by MP Paula Barker of Labour.
This by-election was called after Liberal Democrat councillor Dave Antrobus stepped down from his position on the local authority for health reasons. He was first elected as a city councillor in 1996.
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Sleaford Westholme (North Kesteven)
Reform UK came up trumps at the Sleaford Westholme by-election for North Kesteven Council in Lincolnshire, with Sandy Buchanan elected for the party.
John Bloxham, Reform councillor for Leicestershire Council, said: "Congratulations to Sandy Buchanan on a fantastic Reform win in the Sleaford Westholme ward on North Kesteven Council.
"After a strong campaign speaking directly to residents, voters in this proud Lincolnshire community have backed common-sense politics and real representation.
"A brilliant reward for all the hard work on the ground, and an absolutely dominant 45 per cent of the vote. Reform continues growing across the country."
Sandy Buchanan was elected to the Sleaford Westholme ward for Reform
|SEAN MATTHEWS (REFORM)
The newly-elected Reform councillor scooped 45.1 per cent of the votes. a majority of 156 votes, with the Tory candidate and local independent candidate splitting the majority of the remaining votes.
Reform pledged to expand its reach ahead of the May local elections and 2029 general election, emerging with candidates in rival heartlands up and down the UK.
Shockingly, Labour failed to even field a candidate in this by-election, which critics would argue to be a decision for the better.
On a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the Sleaford and North Hykeham constituency, represented by the Conservative's Caroline Johnson.
This by-election was called following the death of Councillor Ann Mear, who represented the ward since 2023 and was a member of the Lincolnshire Independents Group.
Abingdon Abbey Northcourt (Vale of White Horse)
The Lib Dem candidate Caleb Daniel Pell scored the seat in the Abingdon Abbey Northcourt ward to join Vale of White Horse Council, pinching the seat from the Green Party.
The newly elected councillor described his win as "surreal", jokingly adding: "My series of 'how to defeat the greens' TED talks coming soon".
Commentator Paul Rimmer said: "That's a solid Reform vote in a very trendy left-wing area. Labour must be feeling left in the cold as Lib Dems and Greens scrap for victory.
Caleb Daniel Pell was elected in Abingdon Abbey Northcourt for the Lib Dems
|CALEB PELL (X)
The newly-elected Lib Dem councillor scooped 43.7 per cent of the votes, a majority of 167 votes, with the Green candidate close behind, taking 32.5 per cent of the vote share.
As a council dominated by Lib Dem members with little opposition, the party was keen to secure what was one of very few "rogue" seats – now only a few seats away from complete ownership of the council.
Labour walked away from this result with a mere 3.2 per cent of the vote share – placing dead last among the five main party candidates.
On a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency, represented by the Lib Dem's Layla Moran, having served since 2017.
This by-election was called after the resignation of Green councillor Cheryl Briggs, who served as mayor of the town from 2021 to 2022.
Penrith South (Westmorland & Furness)
The Lib Dem's Barbara Jayson is the newly elected Westmorland and Furness Council Member for Penrith South, claiming the seat for the party after the departure of a colleague.
Speaking after the declaration, Ms Jayson said, “I’m very grateful to all the people who voted for me in the Penrith South Ward today and I can’t wait to get started on repaying the faith they have placed in me.
“I’d also like to thank all the people who campaigned with me throughout the short, cold and often wet days of this election, and I’d like to thank all the other candidates for participating in what has been a fairly fought campaign.
“Finally, I’d like to thank the staff at Westmorland and Furness Council for all their hard work during the election. Not only for the efficient count tonight, but also for their work at the polling stations and throughout the campaign".
Liberal Democrat Barbara Jayson is the newly elected Westmorland and Furness Council Member for Penrith South
|PENRITH TOWN COUNCIL
The newly-elected Lib Dem councillor scooped 43.1 per cent of the votes, a majority of 161 votes, with Reform UK proving the only real opposition.
As yet another council dominated by Lib Dem members, the result means the party, led by councillor Jonathan Brook, maintains its majority on the council with 36 out of 65 seats.
Once again, Labour failed to field a candidate in the region, leaving a vacuum for Reform to creep up the count with a respectable 33.9 per cent of the vote share.
On a parliamentary level, the ward sits within the Penrith and Solway constituency, represented by Labour's Markus Campbell-Savours since 2024.
This by-election was called after the retirement of councillor Virginia Taylor, who served from 2022 and vacated her position due to health issues.
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