Two Labour candidates ripped seats from one of Reform's most dominated councils in Britain

Labour has gained two seats from one of Britain's most established Reform-dominated councils, in a shocking reversal of May's local election wipeout, just days after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister.

Thurrock Council was swamped by elected Reform MPs earlier this year, with the party claiming 45 of the 49 council positions as the region grew fatigued of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party.

However, the "Burnham bounce" has taken true effect this week, with two vacant seats being pinched by Labour candidates during by-elections for the Grays Town and Grays Riverside wards.

Data company GfK said a “Burnham bounce” - along with a strong run by the men’s England football team at the World Cup and lasting sunny weather - had lifted the mood of the public in its monthly survey.

Andy Burnham’s by-election victory in Makerfield was earlier credited with helping to improve the nation's’ outlook for the economy over the next year, with public opinion surveys finding a rise of eight points.

Grays Riverside (Thurrock)

Shock and awe hit Thurrock Council this week, as Labour candidate Jo Potter won the seat in Grays Riverside ward by a margin of 27 votes (2.1 per cent), swiping the seat from Reform UK.

The party won with 30.2 per cent of the vote share, narrowly beating Reform's Jason Mitchell with 28.1 per cent, leaving Green candidate Pauline Weir taking 27.5 per cent, and Tory candidate Srikanth Panjala behind on 14.1 per cent.

Grays Town (Thurrock)

Another Labour candidate, Amin Hoque, won the seat in Grays Town ward by a margin of 182 votes (10 per cent), stealing yet another seat from Reform UK.

The party won with 37 per cent of the vote share, beating out Reform's John Charles Pearson with 27 per cent, and Independent candidate Neil Speight coming in third with 13 per cent.

Tory candidate Joglur Rahman picked up 12.3 per cent of votes, with Green Party representative Rhea Sylvia Nathan finishing on 8.8 per cent, and Lib Dem candidate Simon Lancaster in last with 1.9 per cent.

Thurrock Council is one of Reform UK's most established councils, having claimed 45 of the 49 seats after the local elections earlier this year.

Now on 43 members, Reform is accompanied by four Labour and two Conservative councillors respectively.

Despite Reform's success locally, Thurrock is represented by Labour MP Jen Craft - a former civil servant elected in the 2024 general election.

Ms Craft posted on X: "Two fantastic Labour gains! Thurrock has rejected Reform’s message of division, and voted for hope with Labour. Congratulations Jo and Amin - who will be brilliant local champions for our community."

Cuxton, Halling & Riverside (Medway)

Meanwhile, Reform UK pinched a seat from the Conservatives in Medway, as candidate William Burvill became victorious by 112 votes (4.8 per cent).

Speaking after victory was declared, Mr Burvill thanked those who had voted for him and said he would represent everyone within the ward, whether they supported him or not.

He said: “I will still be your voice. I will work hard for you, and I will not take your vote for granted."

Reform picked up 32.7 per cent of the vote share, followed by Richard Niall Thorne of the Conservatives with 30.9 per cent, Trish Marchant of the Greens with 20.5 per cent, Iain Childs of Labour with 11.4 per cent, and Ronald Arcon Gillett of the Lib Dems with 1.5 per cent.

Medway Council is largely dominated by 31 Labour councillors, with 18 Tory members, five Independent Group councillors, three from Reform, and two independent seat holders.

Beyond dominating the council, Labour's Lauren Edwards MP has served for Rochester and Strood since the 2024 general election.

Exmouth Brixington (East Devon)

The Conservatives held onto a seat in East Devon, as Tory candidate Lee Michael Christopher John Mason won over the electorate with a margin of 87 votes (5.7 per cent).

The Tories walked away with 35.2 per cent of the vote share, followed by Andrew W Colman of the liberal Democrats with 29.5 per cent, Paul Thomas of Reform UK with 28.7 per cent, and Mike Rosser of the Green Party with 6.6 per cent.

East Devon Council is largely dominated by 22 Independent councillors, with 21 Lib Dem members, 11 Conservative, three from the Green Party, and one member from the Liberal Party.

The region is also represented by the Tories in Parliament, with David Reed MP holding a seat in Westminster on behalf of Exmouth and Exeter East constituency.

Longwell Green (South Gloucestershire)

Over in South Gloucestershire, the Conservatives held a grip on a second seat, as candidate Graham Daniel Hardwell won the contest with a majority of 253 votes (9.9 per cent).

The party won with 37.3 per cent of the vote, followed by Stephen Burge hot on heel with 27.4 per cent, Jim Corrigan of the Lid Dems with 20 per cent, Jack Matthew Friend of Labour with 9.7 per cent, and Rachael Emily Ward of the Greens with 5.6 per cent.

South Gloucestershire Council is predominantly made up of Conservative representatives with 22 members, while the Lib Dems follow with 19, Labour with 14, and five independent members.

In Westminster, the region is represented by Independent MP Dan Norris, who has served North East Somerset and Hanham since 2024, having previously served as Mayor of the West of England from 2021 to 2025.