Reform makes huge gains in Liverpool City Region

Sarah Spina-Matthews & Rachael LazaroNorth West
News imageSarah Pochin/X A large group of men and women stand gathered together inside a hall. They are smiling one has his fist in the air. Sarah Pochin/X
Reform UK took 16 of the 19 seats up for election in Halton

Reform UK has seen gains in the Liverpool City Region, with the party taking 16 of the 19 available seats in Halton.

Labour holding on to just two of the seats the party was defending in Halton, but it retained overall control.

Chair of the Reform Halton branch Jonathan Mackie, who was elected in Central and West Bank, said the results were "absolutely unbelievable".

In Knowsley, Labour has held on to its majority despite losses to Reform UK and Independents.

'Mood for change'

He said: "We were expecting maybe 14, but to deliver 16 out of 19 is unbelievable really.

"The Labour vote collapsed everywhere, which is not really a surprise, because we've been out on the doorstep and it was clear that there was a mood for change, and we've delivered."

In Halton, Labour still retains overall control of the authority, with 32 councillors overall.

Runcorn MP Sarah Pochin, who won the seat for Reform in a by-election last year, celebrated her party's result on the council.

"A fantastic result and a huge step forward for Reform UK in Halton," she said.

News imageWomen and men in high vis count ballot papers
Counting is continuing in St Helens, which is expected to be the last North West council to declare

In Knowsley, Labour lost six seats, but still has a comfortable majority with 24 councillors in total.

Independent candidates gained two seats, while Reform picked up four seats.

News imageTwo men smile for the camera in suits. one has a pale blue rosette and the other has a claret tie.
Brothers, David (left), independent, and Alex Hitchmough, for Reform, have both been elected to Knowsley Council

Knowsley Council leader Graham Morgan has called for Sir Keir Starmer to consider his position, firmly blaming his party's poor showing at the polls on the national leadership.

"There's got to be a complete change in direction here," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"The country has spoken. We've lost councillors. We've lost some very good people.

"I think Sir Keir Starmer needs to take notice of that, and maybe there needs to be a change for the better."

The results for Sefton and St Helens are yet to be declared.

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