Rugby Borough Council elections - Traditional parties largely head off Reform UK’s surge

A turquoise tsunami seen in other regions was just about avoided with Reform winning three of the 15 seats contested.

Representatives of Nigel Farage’s party finished second in every seat other than Benn and ran the two Liberal Democrat winners in Bilton – one traditional ballot and one by-election – closer than anyone else.

However, Reform missed out on scalping the Lib Dems by just 39 votes in Dunsmore, while Warwickshire county councillor Anne-Marie Sonko was 76 short of gaining New Bilton from Labour.

Reform’s three wins all came at the expense of Labour but they were unable to topple the Tories or Lib Dems anywhere. The only other changes came through the Lib Dems taking both Bilton seats from the Conservatives.

Labour has been running the no-overall-control council with support from the Lib Dems but the dynamics of that partnership could alter now that each party holds 12 seats apiece – Labour had five more seats than their backers going into election day with leader Michael Moran deciding against standing in Admirals & Cawston, one of the seats won by Reform.

Party chair Councillor Maggie O’Rourke (Benn) said Labour would select a new group leader tonight (Friday, May 8) before opening talks with political rivals.

She declined to comment on whether she would stand for group leader but hinted that the Labour-Lib Dem pact could have a future.

“I believe it has worked really well, we have achieved some amazing things in the past 20 months, things that have not been done before,” she said.

“There is some change, we have Reform councillors now, we will just have to wait to see. They all have to get their heads together and sort it out.”

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (Paddox), whose group’s annual general meeting is on Monday, said he would be open minded about becoming council leader – but only if political rivals are prepared to work together.

“If I get invited I would consider it,” he said.

“The invite has to come in. It is not something I would desperately seek and push everyone out of the way for but people from other political parties have mentioned it to me.

“If it was something the council wanted me to do, I would do it, but only on the basis that everyone has to work together for the best outcomes for Rugby.”

He highlighted the upcoming formation of unitary councils, which is set to see the borough authority abolished in 2028, as a big reason for resisting political squabbles.

“We need to make sure that Rugby, its identity and its people are well represented,” he said.

“I have been around tribal politics for long enough, now is the time to park that if we are all genuine about what we want in terms of health services for local people.

“We have put out a manifesto called Standing up for Rugby. It is what it says on the tin and if there is to be a new agreement of any description then people need to look at that document because it will be slightly different with the changes coming through local government reform.

“Rugby needs a town council, it needs better access to health services and we need to talk to our young people more, developing the services for Rugby and its future.

“If that is something the Conservatives, Labour or Reform want to get on board with, come and talk to us.”

Former borough leader Councillor Derek Poole (Wolston & the Lawfords) is keen to throw his hat in the ring once more, provided he secures the backing to remain as group leader on Wednesday.

“I would have to speak to Jerry and whoever becomes leader of the Labour group,” he said.

“I can state my case. I would like to be back as leader but that is a decision for the council.

“There is a lot that will go on. It is very difficult until I discuss it with Jerry.”

Cllr Poole walked away from a potentially bruising battle “more than happy” with the Conservatives’ performance, holding their four target seats despite facing “a protest vote”.

“We were still above the national average for keeping our seats. A lot of Reform votes have gone on things like immigration, potholes,” he added.

A “thrilled” Kyle Stewart was among Reform UK’s trio of winners, taking Newbold & Brownsover. He vowed to keep a close eye on whoever takes charge.

“The really important thing for us is accountability and transparency,” he said.

“We will be looking to start asking the questions we think are important so we can deliver for the people who voted for us.

“Planning is a key priority. The local plan being released the week before the election was an interesting decision and we are really concerned about the impact these things may have on our green spaces.

“Our communities are not necessarily for all of the development that is set to take place under this local plan.

“We want to work with local police on anti-social behaviour and vandalism, we want people to feel safe in their communities.”