It’s been a stonking set of local elections for Reform, with a turquoise wave sweeping through country showing no signs of slowing down. The party has penetrated the backyards of wannabe prime ministers Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham and has swept to victory in the former Tory stronghold of Havering. Already Reform is up 250 seats as the Labour vote plummets. But, while Nigel Farage has plenty to drink to today, spare a thought for one Suella Braverman.
The former Conservative Home Secretary made the move to team Farage in January after months of defection rumours. She warned that Tory party is dead and done for, with only Reform capable of delivering proper right-wing policies for her constituents. Unfortunately for Braverman, today Fareham Borough Council was one of the few glimmers of hope for Kemi Badenoch, holding on as a Conservative council. The Tories lost just one town hall seat to Reform, showcasing a sizeable road ahead before swathes of Hampshire join her on board the Farage train.
Similar such sentiments may have been felt by blue turned turquoise defectors vying for a spot on Westminster council, which in a pleasant semi-surprise for Badenoch was won back from the grasp of Labour. And in another cute win for the Tories, the party has held Bexley, a top Farage target in London. None of this, of course, is to say that the Conservatives should be popping the champagne corks. Local elections today belong to Farage. But Mr S thought it only pertinent to spare a thought for Suella who has work to do while those around her celebrate.
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