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Staffordshire County Council elections: Reform UK beating Conservatives Reform UK takes control of Staffordshire County Council
(about 2 hours later)
Reform UK candidates in Newcastle-under-Lyme were among those across the county celebratingReform UK candidates in Newcastle-under-Lyme were among those across the county celebrating
Reform UK is beating the Conservatives in Staffordshire's local elections to decide who will run the county council. Reform UK has beaten the Conservatives in Staffordshire's local elections and secured the votes needed to claim control of the county council.
So far, Reform has won 24 of the 30 seats that have been declared, with the Tories holding on to the remaining six. The party now has 35 council seats and they needed 32 for a majority.
There are 32 seats still to be counted across Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Stafford and the Staffordshire Moorlands. Going into the election, the county had no Reform UK councillors and the Conservatives held 53 of the 62 seats.
Reform UK need just eight more seats to take overall control of the county council. More results are still to be announced.
Martin Murray, Reform UK Staffordshire County coordinator and new councillor for Cannock town, said he was "ecstatic".
"We will deliver continuation of services without change," he said.
"We will do what is right for everybody. In time we will improve those services and give you better value for money."
The new council leader has not yet been decided, he told the BBC.
Councillor Martin Murray says he was "ecstatic" at the result
Ahead of this election the Conservatives held 53 seats, Labour held five and four were held by independent councillors.Ahead of this election the Conservatives held 53 seats, Labour held five and four were held by independent councillors.
Council leader Alan White was among the high profile losses for the Conservatives, losing his Lichfield Rural East seat to Reform UK.Council leader Alan White was among the high profile losses for the Conservatives, losing his Lichfield Rural East seat to Reform UK.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Reform UK chairman Ken Owen said he thought voters were disillusioned with the other major parties.Newcastle-under-Lyme Reform UK chairman Ken Owen said he thought voters were disillusioned with the other major parties.
Reform UK's Newcastle-under-Lyme chair, Ken Owen, says voters have grown disillusioned with the main two parties Ken Owen, Reform UK's Newcastle-under-Lyme chair, said the party would take its time to appoint the right people to the key posts
"[It was] a remarkable night, not only for Reform UK candidates, but I think the people of Staffordshire have sent a message to the current sort of administration," he said."[It was] a remarkable night, not only for Reform UK candidates, but I think the people of Staffordshire have sent a message to the current sort of administration," he said.
He said no decisions had yet been made about who might be appointed to key decisions within the council if his party was to win overall control. He added that no decisions had yet been made about who might be appointed to key roles within the council.
"Reform UK have got a strong team of people behind the scenes, and I'm sure we'll be talking about that over the next day or two." "Reform UK have got a strong team of people behind the scenes, and I'm sure we'll be talking about that over the next day or two," he told the BBC.
LIVE: Follow the latest election updatesLIVE: Follow the latest election updates
AT A GLANCE: What happened in local elections overnight and what's still to come?AT A GLANCE: What happened in local elections overnight and what's still to come?
POSTCODE LOOKUP: Check the results in your areaPOSTCODE LOOKUP: Check the results in your area
Reform gained eight of the nine seats in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Thursday's elections.Reform gained eight of the nine seats in Newcastle-under-Lyme in Thursday's elections.
Simon Tagg, Newcastle Borough Council leader, was the sole survivor among the Conservative county councillors from the borough who lost their seats. Simon Tagg, Newcastle Borough Council leader, was the sole survivor among the Conservative county councillors in the borough.
"Longstanding councillors are losing their seats, not only across this county but across the area," he said. "Long-standing councillors are losing their seats, not only across this county but across the area," he said.
"I think it shows the dissatisfaction with the two parties - Labour and Conservatives.""I think it shows the dissatisfaction with the two parties - Labour and Conservatives."
He added that his party had been unpopular in its final years in national government, and that people were looking for a change or a protest vote.He added that his party had been unpopular in its final years in national government, and that people were looking for a change or a protest vote.
Meanwhile, in Tamworth voters have decided Reform should run the county council, with all five of the town's divisions declaring for the party. Meanwhile, in Tamworth voters also backed Reform, with all five of the town's divisions declaring for the party.
Reform overturned five Conservative seats, with Reform receiving more than 50% of the vote in four areas. The closest race was in the Perrycrofts division, where Reform had a majority of 500. Reform overturned five Conservative seats, and received more than 50% of the vote in four areas. The closest race was in the Perrycrofts division, where Reform had a majority of 500.
Coming into the election, all six county council divisions were held by the Conservatives following their strong performance in 2021.Coming into the election, all six county council divisions were held by the Conservatives following their strong performance in 2021.
Since the last local election, boundary changes have seen Tamworth lose one county councillor.Since the last local election, boundary changes have seen Tamworth lose one county councillor.
Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations, helped gather this news.The Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations, helped gather this news.