Reform win ten seats to push city council into no overall control

DRAMATIC NIGHT: The Guildhall, where the count took place

By Angus Young and Simon Bristow

Reform UK were the biggest winners in the Hull City Council elections, winning ten of the 19 seats available and pushing the Liberal Democrats out of power after four years in charge at the Guildhall.

Although the Lib Dems remain the largest party the authority is now in no overall control.

It was a disastrous night for Labour, who lost all but one of the eight seats they were defending, with deputy group leader Sharon Hofman retaining her seat in Bricknell ward.

Labour group leader, Councillor Daren Hale, responded by calling for Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign, saying he should “do the right thing and go”.

The Labour massacre was witnessed by East Hull MP Karl Turner, who is currently suspended as a Labour MP.

ELECTED: Richard Kelly, Reform UK’s Hull chairman, who won in Southcoates

He said: “I see this as a national vote against Labour, not a vote against some very good, hardworking Labour councillors.

“However, I do wonder where we go from here as a party. People are being driven away from Labour and there needs to be some accountability for that.”

Reform UK’s Hull chairman Richard Kelly, who won in Southcoates, said he was looking forward to “completing the job” in next year’s city council elections.

“I would suggest Mike (Ross) should start looking for a new job,” he added.

Reform has never had any seats on the city council before.

WINNER: Rhiannon Beeson, who held her Avenue seat for the Lib Dems, being congratulated by leader Mike Ross

The Green Party failed to win a single seat, as did the Conservatives.

The overall turnout was 30.25 per cent.

The Lib Dems won eight seats, including a notable success in taking a seat in Central ward off Labour. But the party lost previously held seats in Longhill, Sutton and Derringham.

They now face having to govern as a minority administration.

Lib Dem group leader, Councillor Mike Ross, said: “It has been a tough election but I am proud of our candidates and, overall, we have done well.”

Overall, the Lib Dems have 26 seats, Labour has 16 and Reform UK now has ten. There are also three Independent Group members and two Independents.

SOLITARY SUCCESS: Sharon Hofman, who held her Bricknell ward seat, Labour’s only win on the night

Labour said long-serving councillor Anita Harrison, its candidate in North Carr, was taken seriously ill during the campaign and is “gravely ill in hospital”. Her seat was won by Reform’s Deborah Carnall.

Councillor Hale said: “I am so grateful to all of our candidates and campaigners, and I congratulate them all on a well fought campaign. My thoughts are also with my close personal friend Anita Harrison and her family and loved ones.

“I want to pay particular thanks to my ward colleague Leanne Fudge, who lost her seat by the razor-thin margin of 12 votes.

“I am bitterly disappointed and angry that many of Hull Labour’s committed, dedicated local community champions have missed out on election on this occasion due to the failures of our government in Westminster.

“I believe now is the time for new leadership, and a new direction, for the Labour Party and movement. Following many missteps and errors, and now these deeply unsettling election results, I no longer believe Keir Starmer can lead our Labour government and Labour movement. He should do the right thing and go.”

The results are:

AVENUE: Rhiannon Beeson (Lib Dem) HOLD

BEVERLEY & NEWLAND: Lucy Lennon (Lib Dem) HOLD

BOOTHFERRY: Maria Coward (Lib Dem) HOLD

BRICKNELL: Sharon Hofman (Labour) HOLD

CENTRAL: Motokin Ali (Lib Dem) GAIN

DERRINGHAM: Martin Baker (Reform UK) GAIN

DRYPOOL: Linda Chambers (Lib Dem) HOLD

HOLDERNESS: Jackie Dad (Lib Dem) HOLD

LONGHILL & BILTON GRANGE: Aaron Pickering (Reform UK) GAIN

MARFLEET: Graham Duncan (Reform UK) GAIN

NEWINGTON & GIPSYVILLE: Lisa Graham (Reform UK) GAIN

NORTH CARR: Deborah Carnall (Reform UK) GAIN

ORCHARD PARK: Neil Fletcher (Reform UK) GAIN

PICKERING: Tracey Henry (Lib Dem) HOLD

SOUTHCOATES: Richard Kelly (Reform UK) GAIN

ST ANDREW’S & DOCKLANDS: Salman Anwar (Reform UK) GAIN

SUTTON: Simon Taylor (Reform UK) GAIN

UNIVERSITY: Laura Juskey (Lib Dem) HOLD

WEST CARR: Ben Padwick (Reform UK) GAIN