Reform gains control of Newcastle-under-Lyme in historic night for party

"Reform UK has gained control of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council in an historic night for the party in Staffordshire. Reform took 27 seats, with the Conservatives retaining 15 and Labour two. Martin Rogerson, Reform's branch chairman for Newcastle-under-Lyme, said: "We've come out on top but we've got a job to do - we'll do the best for the people who elected us." Nigel Farage's party also won all nine seats up for grabs in Tamworth's local election."

"In Newcastle-under-Lyme, Reform UK needed 23 seats for a majority and won 27. The Conservatives claimed 15 seats and Labour two. Going into the election, the Conservatives had 26 seats, with 17 for Labour and one for Reform UK. Turnout was 47.8%, an increase on 43% in 2022. Among those elected were former Conservative MP for Stoke-on-Trent North Jonathan Gullis, who is now a Reform councillor for Kidsgrove and Ravenscliffe."

"Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice said he was "absolutely delighted" with the results and said voters had turned out to "repaint the red wall, the turquoise wall". Labour remained the largest party in Tamworth, however, having lost the only seat it was defending. Counting in Cannock Chase is due to get under way later."

"Rogerson, who was newly-elected for Talke and Butt Lane, said: "We are delighted and humbled that people have placed their trust in us and I promise that we will get to work straight away delivering local services." He also called the night "historic" and said he was pleased "all the hard work's paid off". The borough had been seen as part of the "red wall" and was represented by a Labour member of Parliament for a"

Reform UK won control of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council in Staffordshire, taking 27 seats to secure a majority. Conservatives won 15 seats and Labour won two. Reform also won all nine seats up for grabs in Tamworth, though Labour remained the largest party there after losing the only seat it was defending. Turnout in Newcastle-under-Lyme was 47.8%, up from 43% in 2022. Former Conservative MPs Jonathan Gullis and Jeremy Lefroy were elected as Reform councillors. Conservative and Labour group leaders retained their seats, while Labour described the results as humbling. Counting in Cannock Chase was scheduled to begin later.

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