Hi everyone, it’s Yves. The UK election results are unfolding, and while we’ll have further insights and opinions in tomorrow’s links, I wanted to share this post by Richard Murphy. It delves into some of the initial outcomes, providing a platform for UK readers and others to engage. Regardless of who benefits from this political turmoil, it’s evident that Labour has faced a significant and well-earned defeat, paving the way for the long-overdue exit of “never here” Kier Starmer.
By Richard Murphy, Emeritus Professor of Accounting Practice at Sheffield University Management School and Director of Tax Research LLP. Originally published at Funding the Future
The local election outcomes in England signal a considerable political realignment. The Reform party is making notable inroads in economically disadvantaged areas, coastal towns, and former Labour strongholds, while places like London and other major cities are resisting these shifts.
In the video below, I explore what these results reveal about issues such as poverty, inequality, failures of neoliberalism, Labour’s decline beyond London, the Conservative Party’s struggles, the resilience of the Liberal Democrats, and the underwhelming results for the Green Party.
I also question whether Britain’s traditional two-party framework is fracturing permanently and what this means for the future of English politics.
The preliminary results indicate a nation dividing politically, geographically, and economically. If inequality is not addressed, we may witness further growth for Reform.
This is the audio version:
This is the transcript:
It’s just after 7:00 AM on May 8, 2026, and the morning’s local council results are unveiling a new political landscape in England.
Currently, we have about one-third of the election results, and the implications are stark. We’ll set aside Scotland and Wales for now, as results from those regions are not available yet. Let’s focus on England and the evident political trends.
Reform is making substantial strides across England, particularly outside of London and larger cities. In economically disadvantaged regions and coastal towns, there is a noticeable shift towards Farage’s Reform Party, especially in the northeast and northwest of the country.
In the northeast, Reform has secured all available seats in Hartlepool. In the northwest, areas like Chorley and Tameside have seen significant wins for Reform, resulting in losses for Labour, a trend also reflected in parts of Manchester.
While Reform is winning many seats, council control has been limited. Thus far, only Newcastle-under-Lyme has become a Reform-led council, a rare case outside London where all seats were contested. The new council is dominated by Reform, with Labour shedding all but two of their seats.
This trend of Reform winning against both Labour and Conservatives is clear, although they are struggling to make inroads in urban areas. London is showing strong resistance, with minimal seat victories so far, and places like Oxford, Reading, and Lincoln are showcasing only minor swings.
England is indeed fracturing politically and geographically.
Overall, Labour is having a dismal night, losing more seats than it gains. The losses outside London are especially severe, while the party’s performance in London is somewhat better. However, the difficulties in Manchester—home to figures like Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner, both viewed as potential challengers to Keir Starmer—are politically concerning for Labour. This situation indicates a climate of confusion within the party with no positive outcomes in sight.
The Conservatives are also facing a quiet collapse, having started the elections from a weaker position than Labour. Although their losses are significant, they are not as proportionate as Labour’s. Some notable wins include reclaiming Westminster Council from Labour and gaining seats in Harlow, Essex. Despite these victories, it is undeniable that the night has been disastrous for the Conservatives as well. The long-standing two-party dominance of Labour and the Tories appears to be ending, with both parties struggling.
In contrast, the Liberal Democrats are showing resilience. While their overall share of the vote may have decreased, they are still securing seats in several areas, with remarkable victories in places like Richmond-upon-Thames where they won all council seats. In Sutton, they captured 51 out of 55 seats. Their success stems partly from a protest vote, but their longstanding record in local governance is also contributing to their support, distinguishing them from Labour and the Conservatives.
Unfortunately, the Greens have experienced a disappointing night. While they are winning some seats, numerous second-place finishes hinder them from achieving the breakthrough they need. The media’s portrayal of Zack Polanski as a potential successor to Jeremy Corbyn appears to be affecting their image. The Greens must clarify their message to gain traction—particularly evident in Tameside, which covers part of the Gorton and Denton seat they recently won in a parliamentary by-election.
So where do we stand? The Reform vote is driven by poverty, indicating a clear failure of neoliberalism. Those who are suffering are registering a protest by voting for the only party devoted to worsening conditions for the impoverished.
It is paradoxical that those most at risk from cuts to services and support systems—such as healthcare and local council services—are supporting Reform, which promises to implement these austerities. Areas like Hartlepool, Chorley, and Newcastle-under-Lyme, where Reform is winning, will be among the hardest hit.
This perverse outcome reveals a troubling trend, with Farage succeeding amidst economic distress. Other parties must demonstrate their capability to support these communities, or we may be confronted with a dangerous political landscape. We are at a critical juncture for England, which is increasingly divided by economic disparities. The first-past-the-post voting system is heavily skewing representation, and without addressing inequality, Reform is likely to continue its rise.
That encapsulates my thoughts. What do you think? As results continue to pour in throughout the day, the situation may evolve. We welcome your opinions, and we may consider conducting a poll later. If you appreciated this video, please like and share it. Your support for our work is always appreciated.
