‘Humiliated Tories’ and ‘angry Labour’: what the papers say about Reform’s local election rout

Saturday papers in the UK were dominated by the Reform party’s victory at the polls, in which it gained an MP at Labour’s expense and won a string of local councils.

A jubilant Nigel Farage said his hard-right populist party had now supplanted the Conservatives and pledged that Reform-run councils and mayoralties would block asylum seeker accommodation and dismantle equalities programmes.

The Guardian’s front page led with “Reform wins ‘beginning of end for Tories’, says Farage”, adding that it was a “sobering day” for prime minister Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.

“Farage eyes number 10 after victories in council polls”, the Times headlined, reporting that the Reform leader claimed his gains “mark the end of two-party politics”.

The Daily Mail ran with “The Reform revolution” and subheadlined its story with “Labour in shock at losing ultra-safe seat in by-election” and “Jubilant Farage vows war on Net Zero and wokery”.

The Daily Telegraph’s front page splashed on “The six votes that shook politics” and reported that Reform had “secured the greatest local election result for an outsider party”.

“Labour and Tories rocked by huge swing to Reform”, the Independent said on its front page, adding that the hard-right party had overturned a “huge Labour majority to win fifth seat in parliament” and that “humiliated Tories turn on leader for ‘staying out of limelight’”.

“Reform shockwave hits Westminster as Farage routs Tories an Labour – and dreams of No 10”, the weekend i headlined. The Lib Dems are now on course to overtake the Tories, it reported, while “Angry Labour MPs blame winter fuel cuts and migrant boat crossings for thumping”.

The Financial Times led with with “Farage’s Reform hammers Tories and Labour in local election rout”, reporting an “existential threat to Conservatives” as a “populist waves sweeps England”.