Breaking the Mold: Reform UK Seizes First City Council Seat in Stoke-on-Trent

In a historic moment for Reform UK, the party has successfully secured its first seat on a city council following a decisive by-election in Stoke-on-Trent’s Birches Head and Northwood ward. Luke Shenton, the newly elected councillor, garnered an impressive 1,226 votes, significantly outpacing Labour’s Maggie Bradley, who received 449 votes, and other candidates from independent and Conservative parties. The voter turnout stood at 28.11%. This win comes on the heels of Reform UK’s recent takeover of Staffordshire County Council, where they claimed 49 out of 62 seats.

Shenton expressed optimism about the party’s future, stating that this victory marks the beginning of what could be a broader movement within the city. He believes that, with continued momentum, Reform UK could potentially gain a majority in Stoke-on-Trent by the next council elections in 2027. Drawing attention to a growing dissatisfaction with traditional parties, he emphasized that residents feel let down by Labour, historically the dominant party in the area.

He also addressed pressing local issues such as financial waste, stressing the need for the council to scrutinize its spending in light of economic challenges faced by the community. The by-election arose after the disqualification of former Labour councillor Steve Blakemore, who transitioned to a council employee role within Unitas, the housing repairs company.

While Labour maintains control with 28 out of 44 seats, council leader Jane Ashworth acknowledged community frustrations over ineffective policies and financial constraints imposed by government cuts over the years. She called for more government support, highlighting that despite funding increases from the Labour administration, the economic challenges require more substantial interventions. According to government figures, councils in England are set to have £69bn available for the financial year, but many citizens feel this isn’t sufficient to meet their needs.