Reform UK successfully stormed multiple English councils in shock local elections last week – but some Nottinghamshire opposition politicians say they are already sceptical about the authority’s future direction.
Reform UK’s triumph made waves nationally following the local votes on 1 May. By 2 May, the party had gained control of 10 councils and two regional mayoral posts.
In Nottinghamshire, the group secured 40 of Nottinghamshire County Council’s 66 seats, surpassing even their own expectations and easily reaching the 34 needed to form a majority.
The win was a knockout for the Conservatives – previously holding the authority with 34 seats – who now sit as the main opposition with 17 councillors.
The outgoing Conservative County Council Leader, Sam Smith, held his seat in Newark East and will serve as the leader of the Conservatives at the council.
Following the defeat of many Conservative colleagues, he said he was “unclear” about Reform’s local priorities and issues.
He said: “They [residents] received letters from Nigel Farage saying ‘vote Reform and get the boats stopped’, and get your bins emptied, but the council can do neither of those. Reform won’t even be able to stop boats coming down the Trent here in Nottinghamshire.”
In a statement yesterday (6 May), Cllr Smith said Reform’s victory was the “result of national policies (immigration) playing a huge part in the outcome of a local election”.
He wrote of a “proud” Tory track record at the council, including increased funding and improvements in key areas such as road repairs, bus routes, and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services.
His statement continued: “It is now the role of the opposition group, which I now lead at County Hall, to demonstrate to the electorate that national issues, such as immigration, cannot be addressed at the County Council.”
The new Reform authority has remained mostly quiet on its plan of action for the county, but the party’s national leader, Nigel Farage, has outlined some initial changes Reform-run authorities could implement.
He has spoken about cuts to council jobs focused on diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) and proposed introducing a version of the US ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ (DOGE) in Nottinghamshire to reduce expenditure.
In April, ahead of the election, Mr Farage also said: “Work from home – forget it, that’s gone.”
County Councillor John Doddy defected to Reform in January 2025 after sitting as an Independent and was re-elected last week as a Reform councillor. He has served on the authority since 2012, previously as a Conservative.
Speaking at the Broxtowe count last Friday, he said the new authority would deal with existing issues “differently”.
He said: “The issues have always been clear. Clear to all of the people who were voting, clear to the existing party and any incoming party.
“[Issues with] SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) – people are unable to get the care their children need in schools, having to take them out to home-school them.
“Adult social care challenges, people not being able to get home care.
“The difference will be how [Reform] deals with them. We’re there to take a different approach to the existing problems.”
When asked today (7 May) about tackling Nottinghamshire’s priorities, new Reform County Councillor Mick Barton said in a statement:
“We are going to compile all our manifesto pledges, then develop a plan and policies to achieve our objectives over the next four years.
“We have 40 members elected with a significant majority from the public, and they have given us a mandate to deliver what we pledged.”
The Reform UK group is expected to formally announce the new County Council Leader by next Monday (12 May), with cabinet positions to be appointed once the new leader is chosen.
Two council seats remain to be filled following the death of Mansfield North candidate Karen Seymour. A by-election is set to take place in June.
