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Reform takes control of Derbyshire County Council

Reform takes control of Derbyshire County Council

Yahoo02-05-2025

Reform UK has taken control of Derbyshire County Council from the Conservatives.
The party needed 33 of county's 64 seats to claim overall majority, which it surpassed, winning 42 in total.
The Conservatives lost 33 seats, leaving them with 12, while Labour are down to three.
The Derbyshire leaders of both parties - Conservative Barry Lewis and Labour's Joan Dixon, lost their seats to Reform.
Stephen Reed, Derbyshire's Reform spokesman, said: "People keep saying it's a protest vote, I think there's no doubt people are protesting at how politics currently runs."
Reed, who won the Clay Cross and Tupton division with 1,353 votes, added: "There is an element that people want change so it's a message to other parties to say, look, we're not happy with the way things are going."
Responding to the Conservatives' loss, outgoing group leader Lewis said: "It's something of a wipe-out for us, I think - nationally and locally."
He put it down difficulties over numerous years "a fractured party" and the party's poor result after holding a general election in 2024.
"We need to rebuild trust with our residents and voters who've lost faith with us," he added.
Live: Follow latest on local elections
Who won the local election in my area?
What's happened so far and what's still to come?
Labour's Dixon said leading the Derbyshire group had been "a massive privilege" adding that it "fought tooth and nail" this election.
She said: "I will continue to be a champion for children with SEND as the stories of parents who have struggled to get the best outcomes for their children has left a profound impression on me.
"Thank you to every resident who has supported me over the years. It has been an honour to serve you and serve our beautiful county."
By Georgia Roberts, BBC Derby political reporter
Reform UK have now officially got a majority on Derbyshire County Council.
The casualties they've inflicted include Labour's leader in Derbyshire and potentially (there's a recount it's that close), the current Conservative leader of the council Barry Lewis.
There's a feeling here that Reform have managed to mobilised people that don't normally turn out to vote in Derbyshire, and this has helped them along to victory - turnout was higher than expectations.
But Conservatives here also say they don't feel they could've fought against the strong sentiment for Reform and sympathy for their national policies.
Labour and the Conservative are equally hurting, but for Labour this is a particular blow.
A year ago they were expecting to take this council , riding high off the back of recent victories in district and borough councils and a clean sweep of Labour MPs in the general election .
One Labour figure here tells me the party now need to do some serious soul searching as to how things have gone "so wrong, so rapidly".
Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.
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June 2025 benefits and pension payments dates
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June 2025 benefits and pension payments dates

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The Spanish socialist nightmare that serves as a warning to Starmer's Britain

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'But what surveys, research, studies have consistently shown in Britain is that overall migration has been a net fiscal cost going right back to the days before Tony Blair. 'Time and again there have been studies that show that ultimately the low-wage, low-skill migration that most countries in Europe have seen is a cost to the taxpayer. I don't see that it's any different in Spain to our experience here.' Vila says it feels as though immigration has 'become worse and worse'. 'In terms of GDP it's true [Spain] has one of the top growing economies in the EU. But also Spain has added around 800,000 people in the last couple of years. [...] Spain is a good example of an economy that is growing – yes, [it's] adding to the population. [But] without any productivity powers.' Five miles from Almaraz, in the village of Belvís de Monroy, Fernando Sánchez contemplates what life in the area will be like after the plant closes down. 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Any European country would love to have what we have in a single region, and we can export it as we have way more than we need.' It is now clear there is 'not enough storage capacity to run the grid on renewables,' he says. 'When a plan fails, you need to make a new one.' It's advice that those in Madrid and Westminster would do well to heed. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

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DWP news, updates, and information on claiming benefits

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