Impact of Reform’s Local Election Victory on Tories and Labour: Newspaper Reactions

Saturday’s newspapers in the UK were dominated by the Reform party’s victory in the polls, which saw the party gain an MP at the expense of Labour and secure a string of local councils. A triumphant Nigel Farage announced that the Reform party had now surpassed the Conservatives and pledged that Reform-run councils and mayoralties would block asylum accommodation and dismantle equalities programs. The Guardian’s front page read “Reform wins ‘beginning of the end for Tories,’ says Farage,” with added coverage that declared it a “sobering day” for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. The Times reported Farage’s claim that his gains signal “the end of two-party politics,” and the Daily Mail ran a headline about “The Reform Revolution,” stating that Labour was in shock over the loss of an ultra-safe seat in a by-election. The Daily Telegraph highlighted “The six votes that shook politics,” and The Independent noted “Labour and Tories rocked by massive swing to Reform.” The weekend i newspaper focused on “Reform shockwave hits Westminster as Farage routs Tories and Labour – and dreams of No 10,” and The Financial Times reported an “existential threat to the Conservatives” due to the “populist wave sweeping England” after the local election rout.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/may/03/humiliated-tories-and-angry-labour-what-the-papers-say-about-reforms-local-election-rout