The regional elections held in the UK in early May were far from routine local politics — they served as a vivid indicator of deeper transformations in public sentiment and the party system. The country, still recovering from the turbulent 2024 general election campaign, found itself once again at the heart of political upheaval — this time due to the unexpected breakthrough of Reform UK, a party that not only consolidated its position but also displaced the Conservative Party from its traditional second place in the rankings.
Why These Elections Mattered
Although only 1,641 out of more than 16,000 local government seats were contested, the results sent a strong political signal. They revealed that reforms, fatigue with traditional parties, and the search for new meaning are driving the British electorate just as much as specific local issues. Turnout was relatively low — around 35% — but it was enough to shake up the entire party hierarchy.
The main sensation was the success of Reform UK — a party that evolved from the Brexit movement and quickly transformed into a prominent force, especially in rural and post-industrial regions. In this election, it secured 677 seats and took control of ten councils, including Durham, Kent, and Lancashire. This is a remarkable leap, considering that last year the party held only five seats in Parliament.
Reformers on the Rise
Reform UK has effectively shed its image as a one-issue party focused solely on immigration. Under its new leader, young entrepreneur Zia Yusuf, the party broadened its platform to include issues such as the economy, bureaucracy, and social justice. Its electoral success was largely driven by the public’s growing distrust of traditional parties: both Labour and the Conservatives lost support, while Reform UK mobilized voters disillusioned with the political status quo.
Recent opinion polls confirm the trend: Reform UK is polling at 26%, ahead of Labour (25%) and comfortably ahead of the Conservatives (20%). This sharply contrasts with the 2024 general election, where Labour won a large parliamentary majority but failed to significantly expand its real electoral base.
Why Reform UK’s Victory Is Significant
Despite the limited powers of local councils — most funding still comes from central government — these elections served as a key test of the party’s administrative maturity. The focus is no longer solely on protest but also on practical governance: budget efficiency, simplified municipal management, and a rejection of ideological pressure. Whether they can deliver remains to be seen. But even symbolically, Reform UK has already scored a major win: it is no longer a fringe force.
Notably, two mayoral victories went to Reform UK candidates, including a former minister in Boris Johnson’s government and an Olympic boxing champion. In both cases, the candidates had limited political experience, but their public recognition and charisma played a decisive role.
Cracks in the Two-Party System
British politics has historically revolved around a contest between two giants — Labour and the Conservatives. But these elections made it clear: their monopoly on power is under threat. Whereas they used to secure around 70% of the vote combined, this time they received only 37%. The rest went to Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats, and the Greens. The system is due for a rethink.
The current first-past-the-post model, under which even a significant share of votes doesn’t guarantee representation, is increasingly seen as unfair by voters. In such a fragmented landscape, the concept of tactical voting and informal coalitions — both on the left and the right — is becoming more relevant.
The left has some experience with coalition-building, but it will be more difficult for the right — Reform UK and the Tories currently exchange jabs more than they seek common ground. However, as the 2029 elections approach, an alliance — even an informal one — may become more likely to prevent power from shifting to the left bloc.
Rethinking the Political Spectrum
The traditional left-right dichotomy is also starting to lose relevance. Voters are becoming less ideological and more pragmatic. Increasingly, Britons who support economic redistribution reject the cultural agenda of the modern left. This explains why Reform UK — with its right-wing economic rhetoric — is becoming attractive to the working class, disillusioned by Labour’s inconsistency and the Conservatives’ populism.
The party doesn’t yet offer a deeply developed economic program. But it’s clear that to retain the support of the “new working electorate,” it will need to address industrial revival, support for small towns, and possibly even partial nationalization of key sectors. This represents an ideological shift away from the party’s origins — and simultaneously opens the door for the Conservatives to redefine themselves and reclaim the center-right mainstream.
What Comes Next
The May 2025 elections are not a full stop, but a comma. They didn’t change the government in London, but they caused a political earthquake at the local level. They didn’t bring Reform UK to power, but they pushed it to the forefront of the political stage. And they didn’t answer the question of who will govern Britain in 2029, but they made one thing clear: the old order is gone.
Now the political map of the country is being redrawn. And perhaps no longer in just two colours.