Local Election Results 2025

by Cai Parry, Policy Officer

Local election results are coming in from across England, with most focusing on care commissioning authorities in many parts of the country. The elections have taken place for the mayors of four Combined Authorities (who in the near future may have influence over ICSs) and a number of county and unitary councils, too. The Midlands and North are set to be a sea of Reform UK success, along with Kent. In other parts of the South, it looks like a very good day for the Lib Dems too. Care England will be making sure to continue to champion the sector to the new administrations that are taking over, and we hope that councils will take these results as a clear indication that change needs to occur.

A summary of the results so far is as follows,
Council results:

• Cornwall – Conservatives lose control. 44 seats needed for a majority, with Reform getting 28, the Lib Dems 26, and the rest taken by other parties and independents.
• Derbyshire – REFORM GAIN from Conservative
• Devon – Conservatives lose control, with the Lib Dems now 4 short of a majority.
• Doncaster Mayor – LABOUR HOLD – although Reform has gained the council, so the mayor may have an uneasy time getting things through.
• Durham – REFORM GAIN from Conservative, Independent, Lib Dem and Greens
• Gloucestershire – No Overall Control – Conservatives lose majority with Lib Dems becoming the largest party, 1 short of a majority.
• Hertfordshire – No Overall Control – Conservatives lose majority with Lib Dems becoming the largest party, 9 short of a majority
• Kent – REFORM GAIN from Conservative
• Lancashire – REFORM GAIN from Conservative
• Leicestershire – No Overall Control – Conservatives lose majority with Reform 3 short of majority
• Lincolnshire – REFORM GAIN from Conservative
• Northumberland – No Overall Control – Conservatives remain the largest party, likely to continue as minority.
• North Northamptonshire – REFORM GAIN from Conservative
• North Tyneside Mayor – LABOUR HOLD
• Nottinghamshire – REFORM GAIN from Conservative
• Oxfordshire – Lib Dems secure a majority, having required other parties to support them previously
• Shropshire – LIB DEM GAIN from Conservative
• South Northamptonshire – REFORM GAIN from Conservative
• Staffordshire – REFORM GAIN from Conservative
• Warwickshire – No Overall Control – Conservatives lose majority with Reform becoming the largest party, 6 short of a majority.
• Wiltshire – No Overall Control – Conservatives lose majority with Lib Dems becoming the largest party, 7 short of a majority.
• Worcestershire – No Overall Control – Reform becomes the largest party and 2 short of a majority. Conservatives lose control.

Four combined authorities are electing their mayors too, and although these do not commission social care, they might in future have a role to play in Integrated Care Systems, which, of course, are responsible for NHS Continuing Healthcare. The results for them are:

• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough – CONSERVATIVE GAIN from Labour
• Greater Lincolnshire – REFORM WIN
• South West – LABOUR HOLD