On May 2, 2025, Labour achieved a significant victory in the latest local and mayoral elections across England, successfully defending three key mayoralties: Doncaster, North Tyneside, and the West of England. Despite these wins, the elections revealed a tightening race with Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, which came disturbingly close in several contests, signaling a shift in the political landscape.
The elections, held across 24 councils and six mayoralties, were the first major electoral test for Labour leader Keir Starmer since the party took power. With the results coming in through the night, early figures indicated that Labour's hold on these mayoralties was precarious, with Reform UK trailing closely behind.
Labour's Ros Jones, re-elected as the Mayor of Doncaster, won with a narrow margin of just 698 votes over Reform's Alexander Jones, receiving 23,805 votes to Jones's 23,107. This election marked a significant drop of 11 percent in Labour's vote share, alongside a notable swing of 21 percent from Labour to Reform UK in Doncaster.
In North Tyneside, Labour's candidate secured victory with 16,230 votes against Reform's 15,786, again highlighting the razor-thin margins that defined this election cycle. The turnout for the Doncaster mayoral election was reported at 32 percent, an increase from the previous election, indicating heightened voter engagement.
The West of England mayoralty was another close contest. Labour's Helen Godwin won with 25 percent of the vote, totaling 51,197 votes, while Reform's Arron Banks followed closely with 45,252 votes. The Greens managed to secure third place with 41,094 votes. This election saw a 12 percent drop in Conservative votes, further complicating the party's standing in the region.
Meanwhile, two new mayoralties were contested for the first time: Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire. Dame Andrea Jenkyns of Reform UK emerged victorious in Greater Lincolnshire, marking a historic moment as she became the first regional mayor elected from outside the traditional two-party system. Her victory represents a significant shift in the political dynamics of the area, which has long been a Conservative stronghold.
Jenkyns's win came with a commanding lead, as she garnered over 50 percent of the vote in her initial results, reflecting a growing support for Reform UK in traditionally Conservative areas. This election is seen as a pivotal moment for the party, which is aiming to challenge the two-party dominance that has characterized British politics for decades.
As the election results unfolded, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation, particularly in the Runcorn and Helsby parliamentary by-election, triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Mike Amesbury after a scandal. The turnout was confirmed at 46.33 percent, with a total of 32,470 votes cast. Reform UK initially claimed a narrow victory with just four votes separating them from Labour, prompting a full recount.
Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf expressed optimism about the party's performance, stating, "I think we’re going to win hundreds of council seats, we stand a really good chance of taking control of some councils and we will win at least one, perhaps even two mayoral races." This sentiment was echoed by Farage, who noted that the results indicated a significant shift in voter sentiment away from the traditional parties.
In the wake of these elections, the Conservative party faces a challenging landscape, having lost ground in multiple regions. Party officials acknowledged that the results were expected to be tough, particularly after defending a high watermark from the 2021 elections, where they had secured a significant number of seats.
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, also weighed in on the results, noting that his party was expecting to see substantial gains against the Conservatives in their former heartlands. He emphasized the need for change, criticizing both the Conservative party for its failures and Labour for its perceived timidity in governance.
As the night progressed, the implications of the election results began to surface, with analysts noting that the close contests could indicate a shifting political landscape. Sir John Curtice, a leading elections expert, remarked that the results could signal the decline of the two-party system that has dominated British politics for nearly a century.
"What we’re looking for tonight is the evidence at the ballot boxes as to what the polls are suggesting about the challenge from Reform, the relative strength of the Greens, and also the Lib Dems seemingly back in business," Curtice stated.
The close results in key mayoralties and council elections have raised questions about the future of both Labour and the Conservatives, with many voters expressing a desire for change. The elections are seen as a litmus test for Starmer's leadership and the broader direction of Labour, as well as a potential turning point for Reform UK as it seeks to establish itself as a viable alternative to the traditional parties.
As the dust settles on this election cycle, it is clear that the political dynamics in England are evolving, with Reform UK emerging as a formidable force. The results serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of contemporary politics and the potential for significant shifts in voter allegiance.
