2 hours ago

Richard Wheeler Political reporter

PA Media

Nigel Farage said he believes a "truly historic shift in British politics" has occurred after Reform UK won hundreds of seats and took control of more councils in England.

The party's gains include winning control of its first London borough in Havering, surging to victory over the Tories in Essex and Suffolk, and picking up seats at the expense of Labour in the Midlands and the north of England.

Reform was in its infancy the last time these councils in England were up for election, and when the national contests in Scotland and Wales took place.

The party gained control of 10 councils in England last year and has now followed this up with further successes at the ballot box.

Increased support for Reform saw them take control of councils from Labour, including Barnsley, Wakefield, Sunderland and Gateshead, and shift Hartlepool, Tameside, Redditch and Tamworth to no overall control.

A third of the seats were up for election in Wigan, with Reform…