Reform UK delivered a stunning performance in the Dudley local elections, gaining 22 seats on the council and surpassing even their own expectations. The overnight count in Stourbridge left Labour and the Conservatives reeling from significant losses.
Election Results
Reform UK now holds 23 seats on Dudley Council, while Labour dropped from 23 to 15 seats. The Conservatives lost six seats but remain the largest group with 27 seats. The Liberal Democrats lost one seat to Reform, leaving them with four, and the Black Country Party saw three of their councillors defeated, reducing their group to three.
Reform Leadership Reaction
Cllr Marco Longhi, Reform's Dudley chairman, expressed his delight: "I am absolutely elated. I was coming in thinking if we get 15 out of the available 25 I would be a very happy man; 22 is amazing. Every single Reform councillor will put the people of Dudley first, fighting for every person whether they voted for us or not."
Key Victories
One of the night's big winners was Cllr Shaun Keasey, who won his first election as a Reform candidate in Sedgley with 55.7% of the vote, defeating Conservative rival Bill Etheridge who polled 21%. Keasey said: "Thank you to the people of Sedgley who voted for me. If you looked at the polls before we came into the hall tonight, they were telling us we were going to get everything, but that's totally unrealistic. We could finish the night with 20 or 21 seats, that's absolutely amazing."
Keasey attributed Reform's success to their straight-talking style: "We're different, we say what we think, we say what we believe, and we go out there and talk to people and get things done."
Conservative Perspective
The Conservatives held two seats, but group leader Cllr Patrick Harley acknowledged national politics influenced local results. He recalled similar surges under David Cameron and Boris Johnson, saying: "Tonight we have been on the opposite end of a bounce; it's not gone our way." Despite the losses, Harley expects to lead a minority administration: "Over the years I have gone through many transformations on this authority, and I am confident we will still form the next administration and carry on moving this borough in the right direction. I'm sure I can work with any party that wants to put sensible proposals forward."
Priorities Ahead
Cllr Longhi outlined Reform's priorities: "Council tax – we need to keep it as low as possible, roads they can drive on, and they want to have their rubbish collected. It really is that simple. We, as the main opposition, are going to be holding this administration to account."
