Winning was easy part but councils require lot of work

THERE is no feeling quite like being elected for the first time. Even as a local councillor, one of the foot soldiers of our democracy, there’s huge pride in knowing voters have dragged themselves out and used their precious time to put a cross next to your name.

- Mieka Smiles

I know this because I'm one of them, having been elected in 2019 to represent the good people of Middlesbrough for the Conservatives. Voters put their faith in you to represent them without fear or favour. Even those who didn’t vote for you (or anyone else).

And this is the challenge facing Reform UK right now. Nigel Farage’s party enjoyed a monumental turquoise wave in England last month, taking control of a record 10 authorities, from Durham to Derbyshire. As well as hundreds of new local councillors, they've added another MP to their growing collection.

But this local-authority onslaught isn’t going to come without challenges.

And this is where Reform must hit the ground running.

As a Tory representative - in this part of north-east England we are, frankly, rarer than hen’s teeth. I’ve personal experience of the obstacles facing new councillors, who are likely still adjusting their office knick-knacks.