Shocking Turnaround: Reform UK Secures First Seat in Sheffield Council!

In a surprising by-election victory, Reform UK has claimed its first seat on the Sheffield City Council. The win came after John Booker triumphed in the Stocksbridge and Don ward with 1,789 votes, following the resignation of incumbent Julie Grocutt in May. Notable competitors included the Liberal Democrats, who garnered 1,597 votes, and the Labour Party, which came in third with 1,324 votes.

This success for Reform UK mirrors their recent achievement in neighboring Doncaster, where they dominated by winning two-thirds of the council’s seats in local elections. Booker, a former UKIP councillor, expressed that the election results demonstrate a shift in public sentiment, declaring, “I think the Labour Party is going the way of the Conservative Party. We needed an alternative voice in Sheffield City Council, and now we have it.”

Liberal Democrat leader Martin Smith acknowledged the effort of his candidate Stuart Shepherd, who significantly improved the party’s vote share, saying, “It’s a real shame he didn’t get in this time but he’s been a great candidate…” While Labour leader Tom Hunt remarked on the challenges of being in government, suggesting the national landscape made this a tough election cycle.

The turnout for the election was 36.8%, with a total of 5,437 votes cast. The full results showcased candidates from various parties, highlighting the changing landscape of Sheffield politics.