LOCAL ELECTIONS: Labour lose control of Barnsley for first time since 1974 as Reform UK sweep up

Sheffield remains under No Overall Control, with Reform and the Greens shaping up to be the big winners from the local elections

Counting underway in Barnsley
Author: Matt SoanesPublished 8th May 2026
Last updated 8th May 2026

Labour have lost power in Barnsley for the first time since the local council was set up in 1974, with Reform UK sweeping the board in local elections.

Nigel Farage's party have taken the 32 seats needed for an overall majority - and then some, finishing the day on 42 seats.

Elsewhere it's been confirmed no political party in Sheffield will have enough seats to run the council, as results continue to come in amid the local elections.

The results are in across the city, with Reform UK and the Greens making gains at the expense of Labour.

Labour leader Tom Hunt has lost his Walkley seat to Andrew Davies of the Green Party by just 73 votes.

In Sheffield a third of seats were up for election, or 28 out of the 84 total.

Local elections last year saw Reform UK take the most seats in Doncaster, though Labour retained control of the council through Mayor Ros Jones.

What are the results?

Sheffield

Remains under NO OVERALL CONTROL

Labour - 25 (-12)

Liberal Democrats - 22 (-5)

Green Party - 19 (+5)

Reform UK - 13 (+12)

Others - 4 (no change)

Barnsley

REFORM UK GAIN FROM LABOUR

Labour - 11 (-37)

Reform UK - 42 (+42)

Liberal Democrats - 6 (-2)

Conservatives - 0 (-2)

Others -1 (-1)

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