Reform UK achieved a significant surge in support, winning hundreds of seats in recent local elections and contesting the Makerfield by-election [1].
This shift indicates a growing voter dissatisfaction with the established political order. The movement challenges the dominance of the Labour Party and the Conservatives by capitalizing on cost-of-living pressures and immigration concerns.
Local elections took place in 2025 [2] and again in May 2026 [3]. During these cycles, Reform UK picked up hundreds of seats [1]. The party's momentum continued into the Makerfield by-election, which took place on June 15, 2026 [4]. In that contest, the party ran candidate Robert Kenyon against the Labour Party led by Keir Starmer.
The losses for the Labour Party have been described as major [3]. The political instability has led to internal pressure on party leadership. When asked about his position, Keir Starmer said, "I will not resign" [3].
Observers suggest the stakes for the Labour Party are high given the current trajectory. John Oliver said, "Labour may never recover from the humiliation if they lose" [4].
The surge in support for Reform UK is attributed to a perceived need for political change. Voters have cited dissatisfaction with the policies of both major parties, focusing specifically on the economic strain of the cost-of-living crisis and immigration [2, 3].
While some reports describe the Reform UK breakthrough as leaving other parties in its wake [2], other accounts emphasize the scale of Labour's losses without claiming a total takeover [3]. The party's growth spans England, Scotland, and Wales, marking a broad geographic shift in voter preference [1].
“Reform UK picked up hundreds of seats in local elections”
The rise of Reform UK represents a fragmentation of the traditional two-party system in the UK. By capturing hundreds of local seats and challenging Labour in by-elections, the party is converting populist dissatisfaction into institutional power. This puts Keir Starmer's leadership under sustained pressure and suggests that immigration and economic instability remain the primary drivers of voter volatility.
