Reform UK Wins First London Council Seat in Bromley By-Election

Reform UK secured its first ever directly-elected London council seat with Alan Cook's victory in the Bromley Common and Holwood by-election, marking a significant blow to the Conservatives. Cook won 34% of the vote, defeating the Conservative candidate Ian Payne, whose party's share dropped nearly 12 percentage points despite vigorous campaigning by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. The Conservatives now hold 34 of the 58 seats on Bromley Council, but Reform's breakthrough, combined with recent defections from the Tories to Reform in London, signals a growing challenge ahead of next May's local elections. Labour also saw a notable decline in the by-election, coming third with 18.2% of the vote. Reform UK aims to build on its gains from recent local elections in other regions, with supporters and figures like former LibDem MP Lembit Opik heralding the party as a rising force in London politics. The result has intensified fears within the Conservative party about potential losses in Bromley, Bexley, and other councils in the upcoming elections.