Reform sweep to victory in county council election

REFORM UK triumphed with a landslide victory in the Lancashire County Council elections and have taken overall control of the county council.

- BY YASMIN AL-NAJAR

It was announced last Friday that Reform UK won an overall majority in Lancashire after voters went to the polls last.

The party won 53 of the 84 seats up for grabs across Lancashire County Council, with elections taking place once every four years.

Conservatives followed with eight seats while Independents gained seven seats.

Labour and Liberal Democrats secured five seats, while the Green Party gained four and Our West Lancashire gained two seats.

Ahead of the 2025 election, the Conservatives were in control of the county council, with 48 seats.

Seats on Lancashire County Council were up for grabs across the district including Accrington North, Accrington South, Accrington West and Oswaldtwistle Central, Great Harwood, Rishton and Clayton le Moors, and Oswaldtwistle.

Reform UK had a sweeping victory across Hyndburn except in Accrington West and Oswaldtwistle Central where the Green Party's Sohail Asghar claimed victory, beating the Tories' Peter Britcliffe. Mr Asghar wrote on Facebook: "I'm honoured to have been elected as the Green Party Lancashire County Councillor for Accrington West, Central and Oswaldtwistle.

"Thank you to everyone who supported and voted."

Reform UK will elect a leader this Saturday.