Reform Wave Hits Cannock Chase, Newcastle and Tamworth

Political Shake-Up Across Staffordshire as Local Election Results Roll In

Voters across Staffordshire have delivered dramatic local election results, with major gains for Reform UK in Cannock Chase, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Tamworth as frustration with the traditional parties appeared to spill over into the ballot box.

The results saw Reform UK make significant advances across all three areas, with Labour and the Conservatives both suffering losses in several wards as residents backed candidates promising change at local level.

In Cannock Chase, Reform UK dominated the elections, taking multiple seats across the district and establishing themselves as the largest political force on the council. The party secured victories in areas including Hawks Green with Rumer Hill, Cannock Longford and Bridgtown, Hednesford Pye Green and Brereton and Ravenhill.

Despite winning every available seat in Cannock Chase, Reform UK did not secure an outright majority of the council. However, the party now holds 14 seats, ahead of Labour on 10, making Reform the largest group on the authority. The Conservatives, Greens and independents will now likely play an important role in determining how the next administration is formed.

Several well known local figures were elected as part of the Reform surge, with many candidates campaigning heavily on local services, potholes, council spending and dissatisfaction with national politics.

Turnout across Cannock Chase varied by ward but was noticeably higher than some previous local elections, with polling stations reportedly busy throughout the day. Residents speaking after the count said many voters wanted “something different” from the usual political options.

Newcastle-under-Lyme also saw strong performances from Reform UK candidates, but unlike Cannock Chase and Tamworth, the party secured an outright majority on the council. The result represents one of the party’s strongest performances anywhere in the region and gives Reform UK direct control of the authority.

Labour retained support in some parts of the borough but saw its majority challenged in several wards, while Conservative support continued to weaken in others.

Political analysts described the Newcastle-under-Lyme results as another sign of changing voting patterns across Staffordshire, particularly in working and middle income communities where voters have increasingly moved away from the two traditional major parties.

Meanwhile in Tamworth, Reform UK also made major gains, winning every available seat contested in the elections. However, despite the clean sweep of seats available this year, the party still fell short of overall control. Labour remains the largest group on Tamworth Borough Council with 14 seats, while Reform UK now holds 10.

The result leaves Tamworth with no overall control and raises questions about how future council leadership arrangements could develop in the months ahead.

Across all three council areas, issues repeatedly raised on the doorstep included road conditions, housing developments, anti-social behaviour, town centre decline, the cost of living and trust in politicians.

Some newly elected councillors said they hoped local government could move away from “point scoring politics” and focus more on practical issues affecting residents day to day.

The results are likely to trigger significant political changes across Staffordshire over the coming months, particularly in Cannock Chase and Tamworth where no single party currently holds overall control.

Political leaders from all parties have begun responding to the results, with some acknowledging public frustration and others promising to rebuild support ahead of future elections.