‘People wanted change’: Suffolk politicians react after Reform takes control of county council
Reform UK won by gaining 41 seats overall
Suffolk politicians have been reacting after Reform UK swept to victory in the county council elections, ending two decades of Conservative control at County Hall.
More information on the election can be found here.
The elections saw dramatic gains for Reform across Suffolk, with the party winning seats in coastal communities, market towns and urban areas alike.
The Green Party also strengthened its position across the country, while the Conservatives suffered significant losses in many areas they had traditionally controlled.
Thoughts from Green Councillors
Speaking after retaining the Cosford division, Green Party councillor Robert Lindsay said many voters appeared to be using the election to send a message to Westminster.
Mr Lindsay, who has represented the area for nine years, narrowly held off a challenge from Reform UK.
He said: “People are just ignoring the fact that this is a local election and not looking at the track record of candidates and just wanting perhaps to send a message to Westminster.”
The returning councillor said he believed his local record helped secure victory, pointing to a new bus route connecting Hadleigh and Stowmarket as one of his proudest achievements during his time on the council.
He added: “I think it’s a very odd time.”
Thoughts from Reform Councillors
However, newly elected Reform councillor Kerrie Elizabeth Turner said the results showed residents wanted significant political change after years of frustration.
Ms Turner, who won the Cornard and Sudbury East division, said voters repeatedly raised concerns around roads, pavements and local infrastructure while she was campaigning.
She said: “It’s been the status quo for so many years and people have been moaning.
“We want to get it sorted. So that’s what we’re going to be doing.”
Asked why she believed Reform had performed so strongly, she said: “We have the will.
“The other parties talk a lot of talk but they don’t action things or fulfil their promises. But we want to make changes and we will make changes for the better.”
Thoughts from Conservative Councillors
Despite the scale of Conservative losses across Suffolk, county council leader Matthew Hicks retained his seat in Thredling.
Mr Hicks, who has led the authority since 2018, said national politics had dominated the campaign rather than local issues.
“There’s been a lot of talk about national politics throughout the campaign rather than focusing on local politics,” he said.
“What I really wanted to talk about during the campaign is what’s actually happening here in Suffolk.”
The Conservative politician said he still wanted to focus on investment in roads, SEND provision, flood defences and town centres, despite now moving into opposition.
He also expressed disappointment at seeing long-standing Conservative councillors lose their seats.
“We’ve lost today a lot of really good councillors who’ve really worked hard to support their communities,” he said.
“It’s really sad that they’re not here anymore.”
The elections were held under new boundaries, with all 70 seats on Suffolk County Council contested.
The results mean Reform UK will now take control of the authority for the first time, in what is being described as one of the biggest political shifts Suffolk has seen in decades.