Following the local elections held earlier this month across England, ten councils were left with no overall control, ushering in a period of uncertainty as parties negotiated leadership arrangements. These hung councils have now confirmed their executive structures during annual meetings, offering clarity on the political landscape in several key areas.
Devon county council
The Liberal Democrats emerged as the largest party in Devon with 27 seats, after both they and Reform UK gained 18 seats each. The Conservatives, who suffered a significant blow, now hold just seven seats, losing 32. Lib Dem councillor Julian Brazil was elected leader without opposition. His priority will be tackling inadequacies in children’s services, as highlighted by a recent Ofsted report.
Gloucestershire county council
The Conservatives, who had governed since 2001, lost control, ending with just six seats. The Lib Dems, with 27 seats, elected Lisa Spivey as council leader. She was backed by the Greens, who now hold nine seats. Reform UK, with 11 councillors, is the second largest group, and Labour trails with a single seat. Spivey signalled a willingness to collaborate across divides.
Hertfordshire county council
A Tory bastion for decades, Hertfordshire now has no party in overall control. The Lib Dems secured 31 seats, the closest to a majority. The Conservatives hold 22, while Reform gained a surprising 14. Steve Jarvis of the Lib Dems was chosen as leader, focusing on road repairs and special educational needs provision.
Leicestershire county council
Reform UK made remarkable gains, winning 25 seats – just shy of a majority. The Conservatives, the previous ruling party, dropped to 15 seats. Dan Harrison, a former Tory who defected to Reform in February, was elected leader. The Conservatives opted to form a strong opposition, declining coalition overtures.
Warwickshire county council
Reform UK again took the lead with 23 seats, ahead of the Lib Dems on 19. The Conservatives crashed to nine, losing 32 councillors. Reform’s Rob Howard was elected council leader on May 16 after winning support from 28 members. Lib Dem and Green contenders were defeated in the vote.
Worcestershire county council
Reform continued its upward trajectory with 27 seats, narrowly missing an overall majority. The Conservatives lost 33 seats, retaining just 12. Jo Monk of Reform was elected leader without challenge. The Greens, with a five-seat gain, became the third largest group, ahead of the Lib Dems and Labour.
Buckinghamshire council
Boundary changes played a role in the Tories falling one seat short of a majority, leaving them with 48. The Lib Dems took 27 seats, and independents rose to 13. Steven Broadbent succeeded Martin Tett as Conservative leader. Reform’s impact was limited here, with only three seats won.
Cornwall council
Despite winning the most seats (28), Reform UK failed to form a coalition. The Lib Dems, with 26 seats, gained leadership via councillor Leigh Frost, backed by independents. Reform withdrew their bid after other parties declined to support them. The Tories now hold just seven seats, a stark decline.
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Northumberland county council
The Conservatives retained a slight edge over Reform, winning 26 seats to the latter’s 23. Tory leader Glen Sanderson was re-elected with backing from independents, Greens and Lib Dems. Labour abstained after its representation was halved to eight.
Wiltshire council
In a dramatic turn, the Lib Dems seized control after years of Conservative rule. Gaining 16 seats, they still fell short of a majority, but secured leadership through support from independents. Ian Thorn replaced Richard Clewer, with Thorn calling for cross-party cooperation.
As the dust settles, the local election results mark a shift towards pluralism and coalition-led governance. Reform UK has emerged as a powerful disruptor, while the Liberal Democrats have strengthened their position in many traditionally Conservative regions. The weeks ahead will test the new leaders’ ability to govern effectively under these fractured arrangements.
