The political landscape in Kirklees has been dramatically reshaped after Labour leader Councillor Carole Pattison lost her seat in Greenhead following a sweeping victory for the Green Party, while Reform UK emerged as the council’s largest party for the first time.
Councillor Pattison was ousted after serving the Greenhead ward for 16 years, as Green Party candidates Richard Andrew John Burton, Toby Michael Cooper and Maryam Jawaid secured all three seats in the ward.
Labour councillors Mohan Sokhal and Sheikh Ullah also lost their seats, ending Labour’s long-standing dominance in Greenhead.
Speaking after the result was announced on May 8, Councillor Pattison said she accepted the outcome and did not feel “humiliated” by the defeat.
She said: “We have done so much hard work in Kirklees. I do not feel humiliated or upset. We couldn’t have done any better or any worse.”
Pattison received 1,533 votes, while each of the successful Green Party candidates secured more than 2,000 votes.
Asked whether she would consider standing again in future elections, she said: “It’s something to be considered, and it is certain that the Labour Party will be back. I do, unfortunately, fear that the residents of Kirklees will see what a lack of experience and integrity can lead to in the provision of local services.”
The Greens were among the night’s major winners, securing 12 seats across the authority and positioning themselves as a growing opposition force within the council.
However, senior Green councillors also expressed concern about the rapid rise of Reform UK, warning many voters may have backed the party as a form of protest.
Long-serving Green councillor Andrew Varah Cooper, who was re-elected in Netherton and Newsome alongside Karen Louise Allison and Susan Jane Lee-Richards, said the party feared anger with national politics was driving support for Reform UK.
Councillor Cooper said: “Our concern is people being elected on a protest vote and people trying to express their anger with the government. It doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to get councillors who are effective at running the council.”
Despite those concerns, Reform UK enjoyed a breakthrough election across Kirklees, winning 29 seats and becoming the largest party on the council.
The party secured majorities in areas including Liversedge and Gomersal, Colne Valley East, Heckmondwike and Almondbury, marking the first time Reform UK candidates have been elected to Kirklees Council.
Emotional scenes unfolded outside Cathedral House, where the count was held, as newly elected Almondbury councillor Pip Harvey was seen in tears after learning of her victory.
She said: “We are thrilled, overwhelmed – it has been an emotional 24 hours.”
Newly elected Reform UK councillor Sarah Louise Wood, representing Liversedge and Gomersal, said the party intended to bring a different approach to local government rather than “replicating” previous administrations.
Councillor Wood said: “We have got a lot of people who work or have worked for the civil service so we have public sector experience.
“It doesn’t work for us to go in and be like the other councillors that we have replaced. We are not looking to replicate them. We are looking to do what we need to do in terms of legislation and how we can make changes.
“One of the first things we will do is start to understand the system, look at how things work now, form relationships with the executives in Kirklees and start to work out what skills we have to actually make a difference and make change.”
Election results by party
| Party | Seats won | Vote share |
|---|---|---|
| Reform UK | 29 | 30% |
| Independent | 14 | 10% |
| Green Party | 12 | 18% |
| Conservative | 9 | 15% |
| Liberal Democrats | 5 | 10% |
| Labour | 0 | 16% |
| Community Alliance Kirklees | 0 | <1% |
| People’s Alliance for Change and Equality | 0 | <1% |
| The Revolting Party. Join The Revolt | 0 | <1% |
Turnout across Kirklees was 41 per cent.
