‘It is clear unionism remains strong in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland alike’, says UUP leader Jon Burrows
Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Jon Burrows says the local election results in Great Britain show that “unionism remains strong” – but that it should also serve as “a serious wake-up call” to the Prime Minister and the Labour government.
The 2026 local elections across Great Britain delivered major losses for both Labour and the Conservatives, with Reform UK emerging as the biggest winner.
Labour has lost power at a number of councils in England that it had previously controlled for decades, whilst in Essex, the Conservatives have lost their majority for the first time since 2001, with Reform making enough gains to take overall control.
In a statement commenting on the results, Mr Burrows said: “The elections on the mainland reinforce what we already knew: the Union is not static, it is ever evolving, and we have witnessed that for hundreds of years.
“But looking deeper at the results, it is clear unionism remains strong in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland alike.
“The four nations of the United Kingdom are stronger and safer together. In a fast-changing world of geopolitical threats, but also a shifting political landscape, we must strengthen our Union, not weaken it, working together to deliver greater prosperity, security and opportunity for all our people. I look forward to working with new colleagues across the United Kingdom.”
Elsewhere, history has been made in Wales, with Plaid Cymru becoming the largest party in the Senedd for the first time, the Greens and Reform winning their first seats in the Senedd and both Labour and the Conservatives scoring their worst performance in elections to the devolved parliament.
Whilst in Scotland, both Labour and the Conservatives have seen their lowest number of members elected to parliament.
“With regard to the Prime Minister and this Labour Government, this should serve as a serious wake-up call: delivery and trust matters, and it is clearly lacking” Mr Burrows added. “They must start listening. The King’s Speech this Wednesday will prove whether they have actually done so.
“I will say this: in less than a year, Northern Ireland will have a choice to make. I will make the case that they should trust the Ulster Unionist Party with the Union in the years ahead: improving our politics, our public services and our people’s lives.”