Reform thrashing Tories in Staffordshire elections
So far, Reform has won 24 of the 30 seats that have been declared, with the Tories holding on to the remaining six.
There are 32 seats still to be counted across Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Stafford and the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Reform UK need just eight more seats to take overall control of the county council.
Ahead of this election the Conservatives held 53 seats, Labour held five and four were held by independent councillors.
Council leader Alan White was among the high profile losses for the Conservatives, losing his Lichfield Rural East seat to Reform UK.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Reform UK chairman Ken Owen said he thought voters were disillusioned with the other major parties.
"[It was] a remarkable night, not only for Reform UK candidates, but I think the people of Staffordshire have sent a message to the current sort of administration," he said.
He said no decisions had yet been made about who might be appointed to key decisions within the council if his party was to win overall control.
"Reform UK have got a strong team of people behind the scenes, and I'm sure we'll be talking about that over the next day or two."
Newcastle Borough Council leader Simon Tagg held on to his seat.
He said: "Longstanding councillors are losing their seats, not only across this county but across the area.
"I think it shows the dissatisfaction with the two parties - Labour and Conservatives."
He added that his party had been unpopular in its final years in national government, and that people were looking for a change or a protest vote.
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Staffordshire County Council

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