As Reform UK takes every seat in Tamworth Borough in the local elections, Maryam Qaiser speaks to residents and business owners about the election news. But there’s hope…
As traders in the historic market town Tamworth open their businesses for the day, the results of the local elections begin to sink in. Results here in Staffordshire mirror the national picture – Labour has taken a hammering, while Reform UK are on the up.
For Brad Bramley, celebrations began at 5am when he received a text from his brother saying Reform had taken every seat in Tamworth Borough, leaving Labour out in the cold. As only a third of the council was up for election, Labour remains the largest party in Tamworth but Reform now has 10 councillors and is the main opposition party after winning all nine seats.
Brad, 33, manager at Coates Butchers voted Reform, having always been a proud UKIP supporter. “Reform are the only party who can do anything, the rest are useless”, he says. “Immigration issues are one of the reasons I voted for them. There is an asylum hotel down the road and you see them walking around in their bloody dressing gowns and pyjamas.”
Business is clearly booming for Coates Butchers, which have four shops in neighbouring towns and cities. While Brad is busy serving a line of customers, he adds: “The tax is extortionate at the moment. I want Reform to sort out immigration, taxation and the economy and to basically improve the local area.”
Disgruntled customer Martin Lawlor couldn’t disagree more. The 59-year-old, originally from Limerick in Ireland, says that while he didn’t cast a vote, he believes Reform voters are “jumping on the immigration bandwagon”. Martin says: “It is just disgraceful, he doesn’t know what he’s saying. He is jumping on the right wing bandwagon and exploiting it, like the Pied Piper! The problem is politicians not standing up and doing what they’re supposed to do.”
Tamworth – Staffordshire’s smallest borough and one of the tiniest in the country – first saw Labour gain control in 2024, for the first time in 21 years. The borough had been under the Conservatives for almost two decades until Labour won the by-election in 2023, overturning a Tory majority of more than 19,000 votes.
Labour defended its majority in the 2024 general election, but today’s results from the local elections saw Labour losing their grip in the Staffordshire town.
Taxi driver Tom, who is fearful of giving his surname, says he has voted Reform for the first time. The 67-year-old says: “I’m not racist, I’m not right-wing, I’m not hateful. I have friends from different nationalities, but things need to change, particularly at cabinet level.” In a warning to Labour, he says he’s not the only one. “Labour is getting slaughtered around the country,” he says. “I pick up a lot of customers who are Labour voters and they’re no longer voting Labour.”
Mick Dayton has been a firm Labour supporter for decades and is disappointed in the result. “Would you have voted for a second-hand car salesman?” the 73-year-old says. “I’ll always vote Labour.” He tips Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, as the next Labour leader. But he adds: “I don’t think Keir Starmer is a bad person. He’s been strong over Trump.”
In Tamworth Park, friends Sandra Evans and Jane Smith are basking in the sun overlooking the Castle. Just past the trees lies a controversial asylum hotel. While they remained tight-lipped about who they voted for, the friends say it was neither Reform or Labour. Jane, a retired Longbridge plant worker, says: “I don’t think Reform has enough experience. The NHS is on its knees, it’s blood awful.
“I thought Brexit was wrong, I voted Remain. But there is a hotel over there, past the trees – that’s another issue.” The pair say they want potholes fixed and the town centre spruced up. Sandra, who worked in catering in the Armed Forces, is now retired. She says: “Most of the shops are shut, it would be nice to see the lovely town again.”
Friends Chris, 77, and Pat, 78, say they want more policing in the town centre. Barmaid Charlie, 22, voted for the Greens. “I worry for the future of my two children, Reform winning is a worry”, she says.
At the Bole Bridge Wetherspoon’s pub, Patrick O’Gara is enjoying a pint. The 67-year-old voted Reform having always been a Labour supporter. He says: “The way the government stands at the moment is not acceptable, like the policies especially around pensioners, things like winter fuel allowance and tv license. Time will tell if Reform will do better.”
Sue Littlewood, 54, is enjoying a coffee in another nearby pub in the town centre. She says: “People have voted because they want change, but a lot of what they voted for is probably national problems. It’s whether everything can be dealt with locally.”
The next time the people of Tamworth take to the polls it will be in a general election. The Labour government has two years left to show it has what it takes to turn this market town around.
