So far, it’s a successful night for Reformpublished at 03:15 BST
Professor Sir John Curtice
Polling expert
Image source, PA MediaReform UK activists, including newly elected councillor for Clacton North Peter Harris (right), celebrate at Essex County Council count at Clacton Leisure Centre
The night is so far proving to be one of substantial success for Reform. They are currently winning more than half of the seats that have been declared.
In contrast, Labour, who have been defending most seats this evening, have lost four in five of the seats that they have been trying to defend.
These figures reflect the fact that in the key wards where the BBC have collected detailed voting information, so far Reform have been averaging around 30% of the vote, whereas Labour have so far won just 16% of the vote.
The other challenger party, the Greens, are performing creditably; their average of 15% of the vote is up 10 points on average compared to 2022. However, it is not enough for them to be picking more than the occasional gain. So far, just a net gain of eight seats.
The Conservatives are also losing ground; their vote is on average down by 14 points and the party is losing more than half the seats it is trying to defend.
The Liberal Democrats’ hopes of making notable net gains of seats are not being realised.
So far, the party has seen little change in its net tally. Moreover, the party’s share of the vote is down on average by 5 points since 2022, a drop that is shielded by the fact it is less than the drop of the Conservatives and Labour.
