Labour lose control of Blackburn Council
Gains made by Reform and Independents mean that there is now no overall control of the council.
Last updated 8th May 2026
Labour has lost control of Blackburn with Darwen Council in the Local Elections. Reform and Independents have taken enough seats to move the local authority into no overall control.
The council has been under Labour control since 2011, but they've lost seven seats with Reform gaining nine and two more seats going to Independents. The Conservatives have lost four.
The leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council said Keir Starmer “has to go”.
Councillor Phil Riley told the Press Association: “I heard David Lammy on Radio 4 this morning saying that he (Starmer) is not coming up on the doorsteps. I don’t know what doorsteps he has been on but it was certainly coming up on the doorsteps I have been on.
“Keir Starmer has a very poor reputation with people out there."
“His poll rating of minus 40, whatever it is, I think accurately reflects what people at the moment in this country think about him and that’s a real challenge. Getting back from that position, I think, is virtually impossible."
“He has clearly done a very good job in terms of foreign affairs but I think the party lacks political direction."
“I believe he has to go.”