Reform UK sweeps to power across East Midlands
Reform UK have taken control of Nottinghamshire County Council and Derbyshire County Councils from the Conservatives after a series of dramatic gains in the local elections.
Nigel Farage’s party reached the 34-seat mark – enough to claim victory – with 10 results yet to be declared.
As Reform UK swept to victory in seat after seat, there were some heavyweight casualties. The most notable of these was Jason Zadrozny, the leader of Ashfield District Council who was unseated after almost two decades serving the authority, latterly as leader of the Independent Group. He was beaten by Reform UK’s Alan Bite.
Reform UK’s north Nottinghamshire candidates performed strongly, with Nigel Farage’s party taking most of the seats in Ashfield, along with Ollerton, Newark West and Kirkby North.
On Derbyshire County Council, Reform UK have won 42 seats, unseating the Conservative Party, who slumped from 40 seats to just 12. Labour group leader Joan Dixon lost her Bolsover seat to the Reform candidate.
East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, said: “The voters have made it clear they remain frustrated at the pace and sometimes the direction of policy nationally. In the East Midlands they are fed up of being left behind and overlooked and they are right to be so. I understand. But I am here to do more than sympathise, more than be angry about it: I am here to change it. I am determined to bring off long-term investments in our communities and our people, whilst ensuring that people are not waiting for decades to feel the benefits.
“The voters have chosen Reform to lead both county councils and I committed to work with everyone in the new administrations who shares my ambition to make our region the best place to live, work and learn. The people of this region should expect no less of me or their newly-elected councillors.”
Meanwhile, Reform UK easily won the elected mayoral race for Lincolnshire, with Andrea Jenkyns now in charge of a £720m, 30-year investment fund for the next four-year term.
She said: “Today, we as Reform, as we are making gains up and down the country, you will see an end to soft-touch Britain. The fight back to save the heart and soul of our great country has now begun.
“Now that Reform is in a place of power, we can help start rebuilding Britain. Inch by inch, Reform will reset Britain to its glorious past.
“We will tackle illegal migration. We’ve been working on policies. I say no to putting people in hotels. Tents are good enough for France. They should be good enough. They’re here in Britain.
“I take my hat off to our great leader, Nigel. He has fought for decades, and he still fights for you here today, and I know one day he will make a magnificent Prime Minister.”
More to follow
