Reform UK takes all contested council seats in Hartlepool election
Labour loses majority as new leadership negotiations begin
Reform UK celebrated a significant victory in the Hartlepool Council elections, securing all 12 seats that were up for re-election and ending Labour's majority control.
In the local election, one-third of the council's seats were contested, and each was won by Nigel Farage's party, Reform UK.
As a result, the council is now under no overall control, prompting negotiations to determine a new leadership for the authority.
The council now comprises 15 Reform councillors, 14 Labour councillors, and seven independents.
Council leader Pamela Hargreaves was among the Labour representatives who lost their seats.
The town’s Labour MP, Jonathan Brash, has renewed his call for Keir Starmer to step down following the election results.