Elections Live: Reform wins Suffolk County Council and wins 10 of 16 seats in Borough election
Welcome to Ipswich.co.uk's live coverage of the 2026 local elections. We shall be bringing you all the action live from the Town Hall in Ipswich. The page will automatically refresh when we update it.
16:57
A historic day for Reform UK across Suffolk
Reform UK have swept both the Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council elections, cementing their position as the dominant political force in the county.
At the Cornhill, Reform won 41 seats — enough to seize control of Suffolk County Council outright. The Greens finished second on 13 seats, the Conservatives were reduced to 9, Labour took 3, the Liberal Democrats 2 and others 2.
In Ipswich, Reform took 10 of the seats up for grabs today, with Labour holding 4, the Greens and Liberal Democrats winning one apiece and the Conservatives failing to win a single seat across the borough.
For Reform, it is a day that has reshaped the political map of Suffolk.
Oliver Rouane-Williams
Oliver Rouane-Williams
16:53
Reform win Bridge
Rupert Tonkin-Galvin has won Bridge for Reform UK with 780 votes.
Labour's Polly Ford finished second on 686 — 94 votes behind. Jamie Allenden took third for the Greens on 437, Katherine West fourth for the Conservatives on 291, and Henry Williams fifth for the Liberal Democrats on 133.
Tonkin-Galvin's winning margin over Ford was 94.
16:50
Reform gain Bixley in tight contest
David Hill has won Bixley for Reform UK with 934 votes — but the Conservatives pushed them close, with Edward Phillips finishing just 35 votes behind on 899.
Labour's Paul Anderson took third on 612, Stephanie Cullen fourth for the Greens on 398, and Liberal Democrat Lisa Weichert fifth on 161.
Hill's winning margin over Phillips was 35.
16:47
Reform win Gainsborough
Ryan Procter has won Gainsborough for Reform UK with 952 votes.
Saffeen Yamulki finished second for Labour on 530, with Conservative Liz Harsant third on 402 and Green candidate Juliet Garside fourth on 373.
Procter's winning margin over Yamulki was 422.
16:44
Reform take Whitton in three-way contest
Tony Gould has won Whitton for Reform UK with 1,113 votes in a straight three-way fight, with no Conservative or Liberal Democrat candidates standing.
Stephen Connelly finished second for Labour on 718, with Groovy Scott third for the Greens on 400.
Gould's winning margin over Connelly was 395.
16:42
Reform gain Castle Hill
William Patrick has won Castle Hill for Reform UK with 948 votes.
Stephen Ion finished second for the Local Conservatives on 581, with Labour's Dawn Allum third on 446, Green candidate Jennifer McCarthy fourth on 423, and Liberal Democrat Martin Pakes fifth on 261.
Patrick's winning margin over Ion was 367.
16:38
Reform win Gipping
Leslie Foster has won Gipping for Reform UK with 755 votes.
Simona Lazar finished second for Labour on 692 — just 63 votes behind. Dalian Haynes took third for the Greens on 411, Bbosa Kiyingi fourth for the Conservatives on 234, and Daniel Davey fifth for the Liberal Democrats on 136.
Foster's winning margin over Lazar was 63.
16:36
Reform gain Stoke Park
Morgan Brobyn has won Stoke Park for Reform UK with 842 votes.
Sian Gubb finished second for the Conservatives on 443, with Labour's Mika Berculean third on 418 and Barry Broom fourth for the Greens on 330.
Brobyn's winning margin over Gubb was 399.
16:31
Lib Dem gain St Margaret's
Inga Lockington has won St Margaret's for the Liberal Democrats with 1,633 votes.
Graham Knight finished second for Reform UK on 546, Kirsty Wilmot third for the Greens on 410, Conservative Laura Allenby fourth on 379, and Labour's Steven Reynolds fifth on 353.
Lockington's winning margin over Knight was 1,087.
15:55
Halfway through the count
Eight wards down, eight to go at the Cornhill — and it's been a solid day so far for Labour, who have retained four of the eight declared.
Reform UK have taken three seats, with the Greens claiming one. Council leader Neil MacDonald was among the Labour holds, retaining his St Johns seat.
15:51
Labour takes Holywells
George Lankester has won Holywells for Labour with 990 votes.
Reform UK's Robin Wilkinson was second on 676, the Greens' Rory Richardson-Todd third on 547, and Conservative Angelina Klein fourth on 470.
Lankester's winning margin over Wilkinson was 314.
15:47
Reform gain Whitehouse
David Hurlbut has won Whitehouse for Reform UK with 880 votes.
Julie Shooter finished second for the Greens on 580, with Labour's Colin Wright third on 485. Local Conservatives candidate Mark Phillips took 189 and Liberal Democrat Trevor Powell 85.
Hurlbut's winning margin over Shooter was 300.
15:45
Labour hold Rushmere, as Mayor Stefan Long retains his seat
Stefan Long, the Mayor of Ipswich, has held Rushmere for Labour with 1,031 votes.
Vicky Hill finished second for Reform UK on 790, Susan Hagley third for the Greens on 536, Chijioke Philip fourth for the Conservatives on 433, and Lucy Drake fifth for the Liberal Democrats on 248.
Long's winning margin over Hill was 241.
15:42
Green gain in Alexandra
David Plowman has won Alexandra for the Greens with 1,047 votes, edging out Labour's John Cook in a very close contest — Cook finished just 41 votes behind on 1,006.
Jeffrey Ciobanu took 589 for Reform UK, John Downie 250 for the Conservatives, and Giles Turner 150 for the Liberal Democrats.
Plowman's winning margin over Cook was 41.
15:40
Reform takes Priory Heath
Tim Buttle wins the first for Reform UK with 876 votes, while Owen Bartholomew holds the second for Labour on 761.
Paul Daley finished third for the Greens on 442, Albert Demaj fourth for the Conservatives on 315, and Nigel Fox fifth for the Liberal Democrats on 148.
Buttle's margin over Bartholomew was 115
15:35
Reform wins Sprites
Stuart Allen wins the first seat for Reform UK with 894 votes, while Colin Smart holds the second for Labour on 424.
Michael Scanes finished third for the Conservatives on 359, Martin Hynes fourth for the Greens on 191, and Robin Whitmore fifth for the Liberal Democrats on 96.
Allen's margin over Smart was 470.
15:28
Labour hold Westgate
Colin Kreidewolf has held Westgate for Labour with 805 votes.
John Mann finished second for the Greens on 519, with James Hollins third for Reform UK on 508 — just 11 votes separating second and third. Stephen Kirby took 253 for the Conservatives and Martin Hore 137 for the Liberal Democrats.
Kreidewolf's winning margin over Mann was 286.
15:25
Labour holds St Johns
Neil MacDonald has held St Johns for Labour with 983 votes, fending off a strong Reform UK challenge.
Joshua Owens finished second for Reform UK on 866 — just 117 votes behind. Leon Paternoster took third for the Greens on 728, with Conservative Oliver Lee-Pearson on 348 and Liberal Democrat Kelly Turner on 182.
MacDonald's winning margin over Owens was 117.
14:59
We're back!
Count is underway, we shall be bringing you the results live as they come through.
Of note, Neil MacDonald, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, is looking to retain his seat on St Johns Ward.
14:08
Here are the results we missed earlier
I rather optimistically tried to live blog 70 divisions today, so I am quite impressed I only missed four sets of results.
Westbourne was won by David Hulbert of Reform UK. We're still waiting on the other three to land in our WhatsApp group.
13:58
We're all done for Suffolk County Council!
We're missing four results from other count centres, but the Corn Exchange has emptied out following a huge day for Reform UK. More to follow on that. Here's the results we have:
A short break and we'll be back with Ipswich Borough Council results shortly.
13:58
Reform takes Bridge in tight contest with Labour
Rupert Tonkin-Galvin has won the Bridge division for Reform UK with 898 votes.
Labour's Sachin Karale finished a close second on 887, just 11 votes behind. Green candidate Jamie Allenden took 625, the Conservatives' Sian Gubb 380 and Liberal Democrat Henry Williams 181.
Tonkin-Galvin's winning margin over Karale was 11. Turnout was 35.33%, with 2,973 of 8,416 ballot papers issued.
13:57
Lib Dems take Woodbridge with massive vote
Ruth Leach has won the Woodbridge division for the Liberal Democrats with 1,926 votes — the Lib Dems' second Suffolk County Council seat of the day, and an emphatic one.
Reform UK's John Grumbridge finished a distant second on 815, with the Conservatives' Geoff Holdcroft on 696, Green candidate Andrew Eastaugh on 459 and Labour's Jonathan Mason-Gordon on 336.
Leach's winning margin over Grumbridge was 1,111 — the largest winning margin recorded by any candidate today. Turnout was 53%, with 4,240 of 8,075 ballot papers issued.
13:53
Reform takes Oulton and takes majority control of Suffolk County Council
Paul Sutton has won the Oulton division for Reform UK with 1,565 votes.
The Conservatives' Keith Robinson finished second on 721, with Green candidate Patricia Teixeira on 513, Labour's Graham Macintosh on 343 and Liberal Democrat Fiona Shreeve on 163.
Sutton's winning margin over Robinson was 844. Turnout was 39%, with 3,315 of 8,402 ballot papers issued.
Oliver Rouane-Williams
13:52
Reform takes Westbourne
David Hurlbut has won the Westbourne division for Reform UK with 1,183 votes. One more needed by Reform.
Green candidate Alison Seddon finished second on 716, with Labour and Co-operative's Elizabeth Hughes on 586, the Conservatives' Steven Wells on 320 and Liberal Democrat Martin Pakes on 158.
Hurlbut's winning margin over Hughes was 467 — though strictly speaking Seddon was the runner-up; Hughes was third. Turnout was 37.24%, with 2,980 of 8,002 ballot papers issued.
13:43
Reform takes Kirkley & Pakefield
Paul Reeder has won the Kirkley & Pakefield division for Reform UK with 1,322 votes. Reform need just two more seats to take the council.
Green candidate Dom Taylor finished second on 1,005, with Labour's Peter Byatt on 544, the Conservatives' Linda Bee on 273 and Liberal Democrat Catharine Earl on 103.
Reeder's winning margin over Taylor was 317. Turnout was 37%, with 3,257 of 8,845 ballot papers issued.
13:31
Reform takes Haverhill East and Rural in tight contest
Luke O'Brien has won the Haverhill East and Rural division for Reform UK with 1,268 votes — Reform's 33rd Suffolk County Council seat of the day, and just three short now of taking control of the council.
The Conservatives' Nick Clarke finished a close second on 1,240, just 28 votes behind. Green candidate Luke Stannett took 496, Labour's Quinn Cox 371 and Liberal Democrat Chris Connor 237.
O'Brien's winning margin over Clarke was 28. Turnout was 41.41%.
13:25
Reform takes Martlesham
Patti Mulcahy has won the Martlesham division for Reform UK with 1,286 votes.
The Conservatives' James Harding finished second on 1,019, with Liberal Democrat Mark Packard on 675, Green candidate Eamonn O'Nolan on 612 and Labour's Simon Whitney on 322.
Mulcahy's winning margin over Harding was 267. Turnout was 52%, with 3,921 of 7,561 ballot papers issued.
13:31
Reform takes Oulton Broad & Normanston
Trevor Lailey has won the Oulton Broad & Normanston division for Reform UK with 1,424 votes, as they edge ever closer to taking control of the county council.
The Conservatives' Edward Back finished second on 771, with Green candidate Moira Dealey on 441, Labour's Christian Newsome on 378 and Liberal Democrat Richard Fowler on 163.
Lailey's winning margin over Back was 653. Turnout was 39%, with 3,188 of 8,252 ballot papers issued.
13:29
Greens take Thedwastre South in tight contest with Reform
Matt Bentley has won the Thedwastre South division for the Green Party with 1,518 votes — the Greens' thirteenth Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Reform UK's David Flowerday finished a close second on 1,491, just 27 votes behind. The Conservatives' James Spencer took 959, Liberal Democrat Nicky Willshere 712 and Labour's Alan Conochie 195.
Bentley's winning margin over Flowerday was 27. Turnout was 49.62%, with 4,881 of 9,834 ballot papers issued.
13:28
Conservatives win Barrow and Thingoe
Beccy Hopfensperger has won the Barrow and Thingoe division for the Conservatives with 1,895 votes.
Reform UK's Ian Houlder finished second on 1,272, with Green candidate Nicholas Jeffreys on 595, Labour's Will Howman on 394 and Liberal Democrat Helen Korfanty on 371.
Hopfensperger's winning margin over Houlder was 623. Turnout was 51.62%.
13:26
Greens take Upper Gipping with biggest vote of the day
Andrew Stringer has won the Upper Gipping division for the Green Party with 2,312 votes — the largest individual vote tally of any winning candidate so far.
Reform UK's Charles Tilbury finished second on 1,553, with the Conservatives' Nicholas Gowrley on 694 and Labour's Ann Cooke on 127.
Stringer's winning margin over Tilbury was 759. Turnout was 49.52%, with 4,703 of 9,497 ballot papers issued.
13:25
Independent takes Melford in extremely tight contest with Reform
John Nunn has won the Melford division as an Independent with 1,321 votes — the second Independent win of the day, after Saxmundham & District earlier.
Reform UK's Michael Holt finished a close second on 1,305, just 16 votes behind. Green candidate Robert Parkes took 753, the Conservatives' Bill Davies 491, Labour's Matthew Marshall 154 and Liberal Democrat Alan Scott 130.
Nunn's winning margin over Holt was 16. Turnout was 50.43%, with 4,159 of 8,247 ballot papers issued.
13:24
Conservative council leader holds Thredling in three-way scrap
Suffolk County Council leader Matthew Hicks has held the Thredling division for the Conservatives with 1,715 votes.
Green candidate Teresa Davis finished second on 1,468, with Reform UK's Chris Parrett close behind on 1,329 — three candidates over 1,300 votes.
Labour's Martin Ince polled 179.
Hicks' winning margin over Davis was 247. Turnout was 56.24%, with 4,705 of 8,366 ballot papers issued.
13:22
Greens take Sudbury West
Laura Smith has won the Sudbury West division for the Green Party with 1,374 votes.
Reform UK's Robert Wade finished second on 1,027, with Liberal Democrat Nigel Bennett on 480, the Conservatives' Michael Heyland on 441 and Labour's Adrian Stohr on 173.
Smith's winning margin over Wade was 347. Turnout was 44.50%, with 3,504 of 7,874 ballot papers issued.
13:20
Reform unwilling to speak to the media
So far, just one Reform candidate, Stuart Allen, has spoken with the media. All other candidates and newly elected councillors have refused to speak to anyone in the press or have their photos taken.
This follows the Ipswich Reform Chairman's instruction to all candidates not to speak with Ipswich.co.uk or any media during the election campaign.
13:15
Conservatives win Haverhill North West and Withersfield comfortably
Joe Mason has won the Haverhill North West and Withersfield division for the Conservatives with 1,523 votes — the party's sixth Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Reform UK's Heike Sowa finished second on 781, with Labour's Indy Wijenayaka on 320, Green candidate Lizzie Eyre on 319 and Liberal Democrat Jessica Tovey on 113.
Mason's winning margin over Sowa was 742. Turnout was 39.05%.
13:09
Reform takes Whitton comfortably
Colin Gould has won the Whitton division for Reform UK with 1,374 votes — Reform's thirtieth Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Labour and Co-operative's Stephen Connelly finished second on 758, with Green candidate Jane Scott on 430 and Liberal Democrat Nicholas Jacob on 338. The Conservatives did not field a candidate.
Gould's winning margin over Connelly was 616. Turnout was 37.17%, with 2,943 of 7,917 ballot papers issued.
13:07
Reform takes Priory Heath
Timothy Buttle has won the Priory Heath division for Reform UK with 1,140 votes.
Labour's Jaya Jose finished second on 912, with Green candidate Paul Daley on 568, the Conservatives' Albert Demaj on 412 and Liberal Democrat Nigel Fox on 188.
Buttle's winning margin over Jose was 228. Turnout was 38.57%, with 3,233 of 8,382 ballot papers issued.
13:06
Greens take Abbeygate and Minden
Dylan Roques has won the Abbeygate and Minden division for the Green Party — the Greens' tenth Suffolk County Council seat of the day, taking them into double figures.
Reform UK's Catherine Mustoe finished second on 903, with the Conservatives' Mark Winter on 607, Labour's Donna Higgins on 580, Independent Paul Hopfensperger on 442, Liberal Democrat Aiden Roe on 132 and Communist Party of Britain's Darren Turner on 17.
Turnout was 49.63%.
13:04
Reform takes Felixstowe Clifflands, pushed hard by Lib Dems
Michael Hadwen has won the Felixstowe Clifflands division for Reform UK with 1,508 votes.
Liberal Democrat Seamus Bennett finished a close second on 1,349, just 159 votes behind. The Conservatives' Kevin Sullivan took 788, Green candidate Angus Thody 579 and Labour's Skye Vincent 366.
Hadwen's winning margin over Bennett was 159. Turnout was 57%, with 4,595 of 8,005 ballot papers issued.
13:04
Reform takes Eastgate and Moreton Hall in tight four-way contest
Simon Aalders has won the Eastgate and Moreton Hall division for Reform UK with 1,070 votes — Reform's 27th Suffolk County Council seat of the day, as they edge towards majority control of the council.
Liberal Democrat Andy McGowan finished second on 856 — the Lib Dems' third strong showing of the day. The Conservatives' Birgitte Mager took 794, Labour's Cliff Waterman 537 and Green candidate Yarrow Jeffery 531 — four candidates within 325 votes of each other behind the winner.
Aalders' winning margin over McGowan was 214. Turnout was 43.41%.
13:01
Ipswich.co.uk's first election
We've been here, tapping away for more than 3 hours now, living off a diet of biscuits and coffee.
12:58
Back to Ipswich and Reform takes Rushmere St Andrew
Alistair Jeffreys has won the Rushmere St Andrew division for Reform UK with 1,400 votes — Reform's twenty-sixth Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
The Conservatives' Robert Cawley finished second on 1,091, with Green candidate Julian Cusack on 533, Labour and Co-operative's Paul Richards on 436 and Liberal Democrat Ed Thompson on 328.
Jeffreys' winning margin over Cawley was 309. Turnout was 48%, with 3,798 of 7,851 ballot papers issued.
12:57
Independent Julia Ewart has won Saxmundham & District
Julia Ewart has won the Saxmundham & District division as an Independent with 1,108 votes — the first Independent win of the day.
Reform UK's Alex Savva finished second on 906, just three votes ahead of Green candidate Marianne Fellowes on 903. The Conservatives' Dominic Keen took 588, Labour's Philip O'Hear 230 and Liberal Democrat James Sandbach 193.
Ewart's winning margin over Savva was 202. Turnout was 51%, with 3,937 of 7,729 ballot papers issued.
12:55
Labour holds Westgate for third Ipswich win
Much to the relief of the council, Colin Kreidewolf has won the Westgate division for Labour with 939 votes — Labour's third Suffolk County Council seat of the day, all three of them in Ipswich.
Reform UK's Joshua Owens finished second on 803, with Green candidate Jennifer McCarthy on 718, the Conservatives' Stephen Ion on 462 and Liberal Democrat Martin Hore on 297.
Kreidewolf's winning margin over Owens was 136. Turnout was 38.93%, with 3,246 of 8,338 ballot papers issued.
12:54
Reform takes Stour Valley in first Babergh result
Former Tory Philip Faircloth-Mutton has won the Stour Valley division for Reform UK with 1,646 votes — Reform's twenty-fifth Suffolk County Council seat of the day, and the first to declare from the Babergh count.
The Conservatives' Isabelle Reece finished second on 957, with Green candidate Siobhan Harris on 606, Liberal Democrat Bryn Hurren on 575, and Labour's Chris Mills on 229.
Faircloth-Mutton's winning margin over Reece was 689. Turnout figures were not recorded on the count form.
12:51
Greens and Reform share Beccles & Kessingland in two-seat division
Beccles & Kessingland — a two-seat division — has split between the Greens and Reform UK in an extraordinarily tight contest at the top.
Green candidate Ash Lever topped the poll with 2,686 votes, with Reform UK's Chris Cox just 10 votes behind on 2,676 to take the second seat. The other Green candidate Christine Wheeler polled 2,665, and Reform's Mel Calaby 2,474 — four candidates within 221 votes of each other.
The Conservatives' Mark Bee took 1,248 and Ryan Harvey 968. Labour's Alan Green polled 525 and Sam Hunt 427. Liberal Democrats Susan Groome and Tom Jordan took 256 and 202.
Turnout was 44%, with 7,226 of 16,517 ballot papers issued. Twenty-eight were rejected.
12:47
Conservatives win Clare in tight contest with Reform
Bobby Bennett has won the Clare division for the Conservatives with 1,516 votes — the party's fifth Suffolk County Council seat of the day, and their second in succession. Not something we've said much – or at all, possibly.
Reform UK's Warren Rodwell pushed Bennett close, polling 1,461 — just 55 votes behind. Green candidate Jessica Sibley took 541, Liberal Democrat Hugo Bovill 379 and Labour's Adam Chadwick 274.
Bennett's winning margin over Rodwell was 55. Turnout was 51.86%.
12:45
A quick look at the table
Here's where we are so far:
- 25 Reform
- 4 Conservative
- 4 Labour
- 8 Greens
- 1 Lib Dem
12:41
Conservatives win in Hardwick comfortably
Richard Rout has won the Hardwick division for the Conservatives with 1,701 votes — the party's fourth Suffolk County Council seat of the day, and one of its most decisive wins.
Reform UK's Sheila Burke finished second on 747, with Green candidate Grahame Starling on 544, Labour and Co-operative's Judith Moore on 353 and Liberal Democrat James Porter on 214.
Rout's winning margin over Burke was 954 — a notably large gap given the day's pattern of tight contests. Turnout was 51.44%.
12:39
Greens take Framlingham & Wickham Market
Stephen Molyneux has won the Framlingham & Wickham Market division for the Green Party with 1,491 votes — the Greens' eighth Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Reform UK's David Bowen finished second on 1,239, with the Conservatives' Stephen Burroughes on 1,076 — three candidates over 1,000 votes.
Liberal Democrat Edward Robinson polled 309 and Labour's Luke Halpin 219.
Molyneux's winning margin over Bowen was 252. Turnout was 49%, with 4,351 of 8,934 ballot papers issued.
12:39
Reform takes Row Heath
Don Waldron has won the Row Heath division for Reform UK with 1,469 votes — Reform's twenty-third Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
The Conservatives' Susan Glossop finished second on 860, with Green candidate Tom Moore on 452, Independent David Taylor on 406 and Labour's Joyce Adenekan on 181.
Waldron's winning margin over Glossop was 609. Turnout was 39.61%.
12:37
Reform takes Hartismere as Greens push hard for second
Paul Bains has won the Hartismere division for Reform UK with 1,674 votes — Reform's twenty-second Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Green candidate Rowland Warboys finished a close second on 1,619, just 55 votes behind. The Conservatives' Colin Noble took 1,091 — three candidates over 1,000 votes — with Liberal Democrat Hettie Glenton on 215 and Labour's Paul Theaker on 153.
Bains' winning margin over Warboys was 55. Turnout was 53.44%, with 4,762 of 8,911 ballot papers issued.
12:36
Labour take Rushmere for second seat of the day
Martin Cook has won the Rushmere division for Labour with 1,311 votes — Labour's second Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Reform UK's Vicky Hill finished second on 1,023, with Green candidate Susan Hagley on 762, the Conservatives' Chijioke Philip on 592 and Liberal Democrat Lucy Drake on 308.
Cook's winning margin over Hill was 288. Turnout was 48.86%, with 4,008 of 8,203 ballot papers issued.
12:35
Lib Dems win their first seat of the day in Ipswich
As expected, Inga Lockington has won the St Margaret's division for the Liberal Democrats with 1,660 votes — the Lib Dems' first Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Reform UK's Graham Knight finished second on 795, with Green candidate Kirsty Wilmot on 706, Labour's Adam Rae on 622 and the Conservatives' Laura Allenby pushed into fifth on 555.
Lockington's winning margin over Knight was 865. Turnout was 50.81%, with 4,354 of 8,569 ballot papers issued.
12:33
Reform takes Brandon comfortably
Tim Kent has won the Brandon division for Reform UK with 1,427 votes.
The Conservatives' David Palmer finished second on 564, with Independent Victor Lukaniuk on 492, Green candidate Gemma Raymond on 387, Independent Wayne Bland on 212, Labour's Tony Blacker on 150 and Liberal Democrat Adam Robertson on 103.
Kent's winning margin over Palmer was 863 — Reform's largest of the day so far. Turnout was 38.23%.
12:32
Huge cheers as Labour win their first seat of the day in St Clement's
Adele Cook has won the St Clement's division for Labour and Co-operative — Labour's first Suffolk County Council seat of the day, after a long, painful wait.
Cook polled 1,223 votes. Green candidate David Plowman finished a close second on 1,115, with Reform UK's Jeffrey Ciobanu pushed into third on 884 — the first time today Reform haven't either won or finished second.
The Conservatives' Angelina Klein took 322 and Liberal Democrat Timothy Lockington 199.
Cook's winning margin over Plowman was 108. Turnout was 44.00%, with 3,753 of 8,529 ballot papers issued.
12:30
Reform wins in Gunton
Chris Smith has won the Gunton division for Reform UK with 1,297 votes.
The Conservatives' James Reeder finished second on 587, with Labour's Graham Parker close behind on 561, Green candidate Joe Hynes on 298 and Liberal Democrat Michelle Lavill on 110.
Smith's winning margin over Reeder was 710. Turnout was 38%, with 2,856 of 7,550 ballot papers issued.
12:29
Reform takes Peninsula
Vicky Armstrong has won the Peninsula division for Reform UK with 1,389 votes.
Green candidate Joshua Overton finished second on 1,239, with the Conservatives' Josie Ruffles on 997 — three candidates over 990 votes.
Liberal Democrat Paul Woodcraft polled 305, Labour's Emma Bishton 327, and Independent Tim Amass 118.
Armstrong's winning margin over Overton was 150. Turnout was 49.57%, with 4,388 of 8,851 ballot papers issued.
12:29
Greens take Hadleigh in close contest with Reform
Simon Dowling has won the Hadleigh division for the Green Party with 1,325 votes — the Greens' seventh Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Reform UK's Matthew Pescott Frost finished second on 1,287, just 38 votes behind. The Conservatives' Ian McIntyre took 770, Liberal Democrat Rain Welham-Cobb 220 and Labour's Jane Wakeman 178.
Dowling's winning margin over Pescott Frost was 38. Turnout was 45.30%, with 3,787 of 8,360 ballot papers issued.
12:28
Greens take Thedwastre North
James Patchett has won the Thedwastre North division for the Green Party with 1,476 votes — the Greens' sixth Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Reform UK's David Wren finished second on 1,238, with the Conservatives' Jane Storey on 1,061.
Liberal Democrat Steve Card polled 199 and Labour's Calum Edwards 166.
Patchett's winning margin over Wren was 238. Turnout was 46.41%, with 4,154 of 8,950 ballot papers issued.
12:26
Conservatives win Constable in tight four-way contest
Darius Laws has won the Constable division for the Conservatives with 1,459 votes — only the party's third Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Reform UK's Marc Rowland finished second on 1,346, with Liberal Democrat John Whyman on 1,059 and Green candidate Zunaid Saiyed on 743 — four candidates over 700 votes.
Labour's Lindsay Francis polled 235.
Laws' winning margin over Rowland was 113. Turnout was 53.75%, with 4,841 of 9,007 ballot papers issued.
12:25
Reform takes Mildenhall
Louis Busuttil has won the Mildenhall division for Reform UK with 1,189 votes.
Independent Ian Shipp polled 1,043, just 146 votes behind the winner and well clear of the rest of the field. The Conservatives' Lance Stanbury was pushed into third on 613.
Green candidate Claire Steed polled 294, Labour's Roxanne Downes 147, Liberal Democrat Zigurds Kronbergs 74, and Independent Chaz Chandler 32.
Busuttil's winning margin over Shipp was 146. Turnout was 39.37%.
12:23
Reform takes Gipping in Ipswich as Labour rout continues
Stuart Allen has won the Gipping division for Reform UK with 1,104 votes — Reform's seventeenth Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Labour's David Ellesmere finished second on 850, with Green candidate Dalian Haynes on 494, the Conservatives' Bbosa Kiyingi on 346 and Liberal Democrat Daniel Davey on 172.
Allen's winning margin over Ellesmere was 254. Turnout was 34.95%, with 2,982 of 8,533 ballot papers issued.
12:22
Reform takes Gainsborough as it eyes a clean sweep in Ipswich
Ryan Procter has won the Gainsborough division for Reform UK with 1,043 votes.
Labour and Co-operative candidate Kelvin Cracknell finished second on 744, with the Conservatives' Liz Harsant on 725, Green candidate Juliet Garside on 480, and Liberal Democrat Trevor Powell on 114.
Procter's winning margin over Cracknell was 299. Turnout was 39.30%, with 3,133 of 7,971 ballot papers issued.
12:20
Reform takes Bixley as Labour finishes third
David Hill has won the Bixley division for Reform UK with 1,283 votes — Reform's fifteenth Suffolk County Council seat of the day and second of the day in Ipswich.
The Conservatives' Paul West finished second on 1,027, with Labour's Laurence Bradley pushed into third on 911 — the second Ipswich division running in which Labour has finished outside the top two. Green candidate Stephanie Cullen polled 694 and Liberal Democrat Lisa Weichert 249.
Hill's winning margin over West was 256. Turnout was 49.15%, with 4,173 of 8,490 ballot papers issued.
12:17
Reform takes Belstead Hills in the first Ipswich result of the day – more incoming
Morgan Brobyn has won the Belstead Hills division for Reform UK with 1,309 votes — Reform's fourteenth Suffolk County Council seat of the day, and the first to declare from the Ipswich count.
The Conservatives' Nadia Cenci finished second on 809, with Labour's Viorica-Mihaela Berculean on 615, Green candidate David Revett on 359 and Liberal Democrat Robin Whitmore on 168.
Brobyn's winning margin over Cenci was 500. Turnout was 40.27%, with 3,274 of 8,131 ballot papers issued.
12:16
Reform takes Felixstowe Maritime comfortably
Tony Love has won the Felixstowe Maritime division for Reform UK with 1,418 votes.
Green candidate Stephen Wyatt finished second on 696, with the Conservatives' Georgina Allan on 456, Labour's Rosie Smithson on 393 and Liberal Democrat Jan Candy on 301.
Love's winning margin over Wyatt was 722 — Reform's largest of the day so far. Turnout was 39%, with 3,271 of 8,475 ballot papers issued.
12:14
Reform takes Exning and Newmarket
Andrew Burton has won the Exning and Newmarket division for Reform UK with 1,101 votes.
The Conservatives' Ben Greening finished second on 955, with Liberal Democrat Jon London on 825 — the Lib Dems' second strong showing of the day, after Stowmarket East.
Green candidate Debbie Clarke polled 479 and Labour's Shelagh Kavanagh 272.
Burton's winning margin over Greening was 146. Turnout was 38.66%.
12:13
Conservatives hold Blackbourn – just
Harry Richardson has won the Blackbourn division for the Conservatives with 1,632 votes — only the party's second seat of the day.
Reform UK's Paul Brown finished second on 1,515, with Green candidate Clare Higson on 733 and Labour's Rowena Lindberg on 408.
Richardson's winning margin over Brown was 117. Turnout was 49%.
12:12
A flurry of results incoming for Ipswich divisions – stand by.
12:03
Greens take Hoxne & Eye in tight three-way contest
Sally Mittuch has won the Hoxne & Eye division for the Green Party with 1,526 votes.
Reform UK's Holly Drafahl finished second on 1,366, with the Conservatives' Henry Lloyd close behind on 1,185 — three candidates over 1,100 in another bunched contest.
Liberal Democrat Timothy Glenton polled 243 and Labour's Stephen Nixon 120.
Mittuch's winning margin over Drafahl was 160. Turnout was 52.48%, with 4,457 of 8,492 ballot papers issued.
12:01
Reform takes Cornard & Sudbury East
Kerrie Turner has won the Cornard & Sudbury East division for Reform UK with 1,316 votes.
Green candidate Sara Merritt finished second on 861, with the Conservatives' Harry Cansdale on 461, Labour's Alison Owen on 323 and Liberal Democrat Marjorie Bark on 228.
Turner's winning margin over Merritt was 455. Turnout was 40.93%, with 3,202 of 7,824 ballot papers issued.
11:59
Greens take Cosford in three-way scrap
Robert Lindsay has won the Cosford division for the Green Party with 1,658 votes.
Reform UK's Patrick Wegener finished second on 1,488, with the Conservatives' Ellena Cook on 1,143 — three candidates over the 1,100 mark in a single division.
Liberal Democrat David Butcher polled 238 and Labour's Rupert Perry 123.
Lindsay's winning margin over Wegener was 170. Turnout was 55.42%, with 4,656 of 8,401 ballot papers issued.
11:57
Reform takes Bosmere
Gary Keogh has won the Bosmere division for Reform UK with 1,241 votes.
Green candidate Adria Pittock finished second on 1,090, with the Conservatives' Kay Oakes on 720, Liberal Democrat Attila Borzak on 485 and Labour's Tina Cooke on 174.
Keogh's winning margin over Pittock was 151. Turnout was 44.65%, with 3,721 of 8,334 ballot papers issued.
11:56
Reform takes St Olaves and Tollgate by just 64 votes
Martin Robinson has won the St Olaves and Tollgate division for Reform UK with 986 votes, and their tightest win yet.
Green candidate Susie Dowling pushed Robinson all the way, polling 922 — just 64 votes behind. Labour's Diane Hind took 455, Conservative Thomas Murray 379, and Independent David Nettleton 310.
Robinson's winning margin over Dowling was 64. Turnout was 34.19%.
11:50
Reform takes Newmarket and Red Lodge
A quick wee break and we're back to announce that Adrian Whittle has won the Newmarket and Red Lodge division for Reform UK with 1,272 votes.
The Conservatives' Andy Drummond finished second on 963, with Green candidate Doug Taylor on 564, Labour's Keith Holland on 421 and Liberal Democrat Katarina Keep on 265.
Whittle's winning margin over Drummond was 309. Turnout was 35.21%.
11:35
The tally so far
We've had 13 results so far, and it's all the light blue of Reform:
- 9 Reform UK
- 3 Green
- 1 Conservative
11:34
Greens take Halesworth comfortably
Annette Dunning has won the Halesworth division for the Green Party with 1,761 votes — the Greens' third seat of the day.
Reform UK's Garry Debenham finished second on 1,064, with the Conservatives' Lawrence Champion on 650, Liberal Democrat Sally East on 224 and Labour's Ian Luff on 158.
Dunning's winning margin over Debenham was 697. Turnout was 50%, with 3,873 of 7,770 ballot papers issued.
11:33
Reform takes Haverhill South in West Suffolk
Paul Littman has won the Haverhill South division for Reform UK with 990 votes.
The Conservatives' Graham Cone finished second on 657, with Green candidate Mark Ereira on 543 and Labour's David Smith on 353.
Littman's winning margin over Cone was 333. Turnout was 32.95%.
11:28
Greens take Stowmarket West
Keith Welham has won the Stowmarket West division for the Green Party with 1,456 votes — the Greens' second seat of the morning.
Reform UK's Shaun Payne finished second on 1,148, with the Conservatives' Paul Ekpenyong well back on 518 and Labour's Michael Smith on 179.
Welham's winning margin over Payne was 308. Turnout was 40.78%, with 3,314 of 8,128 ballot papers issued.
11:26
Reform takes Stowmarket East as Lib Dems push hard for second
Mark Barber has won the Stowmarket East division for Reform UK with 1,255 votes.
But the standout figure here is the Liberal Democrats: Keith Scarff polled 1,163, just 92 votes behind Barber and well clear of the rest of the field. That's by some distance the strongest Lib Dem showing of any division declared so far today.
The Conservatives' Steve Runciman was pushed into third on 534, with Labour's Peter Armitage on 368.
Barber's winning margin over Scarff was 92. Turnout was 39.78%, with 3,346 of 8,411 ballot papers issued.
11:24
Reform takes Gipping Valley as Tories finish second again
Asa Downing has won the Gipping Valley division for Reform UK with 1,308 votes — Reform's fifth Suffolk County Council seat of the day, in what is potentially shaping up to be a huge day for the party.
The Conservatives' Chris Chambers finished second on 1,063, with Green candidate Chris Goodchild third on 742. Liberal Democrat Mark Pearson polled 351 and Labour's Hazel Stonya 178.
Downing's winning margin over Chambers was 245. Turnout was 42.63%, with 3,649 of 8,560 ballot papers issued.
11:22
Reform takes Brook in the first Mid Suffolk result of the day
Christopher Hudson has won the Brook division for Reform UK with 1,342 votes.
The Conservatives' Debbie Richards finished second on 658, with the Greens' Leigh Jamieson five votes behind on 653 and Liberal Democrat Helen-Victoria Davies a further 24 back on 629 — three parties bunched within 29 votes of each other.
Labour's Graham Manuel polled 183.
Hudson's winning margin over Richards was 684 — Reform's largest of the day so far. Turnout was 44.93%, with 3,477 of 7,738 ballot papers issued. Seven were rejected.
11:21
Reform takes Harbour
Rob Ayling has won the Harbour division for Reform UK with 904 votes.
Green James Marjoram took second on 471, with Labour's Tess Gandy a close third on 431. The Conservatives' May Reader managed only 180, and Liberal Democrat John Shreeve polled 109.
Ayling's winning margin over Marjoram was 433. Turnout was 25%.
11:14
Conservatives win Carlford as Tories open their account
Elaine Joseland — known on the ballot as Elaine Bryce — has won the Carlford division for the Conservatives with 1,909 votes, the party's first Suffolk County Council win of the day.
Reform UK's Georgia Howell pushed hard into second on 1,196, with the Greens' Stephen Munson only 53 votes behind her on 1,143.
Liberal Democrat Hugo Mason polled 257 and Labour's Belinda Randall 253 — separated by just four votes at the foot of the table.
Joseland's winning margin over Howell was 713. Turnout was 56% — the highest of the day so far.
10:58
Reform takes Blyth Estuary in tight four-way contest
John Matthews has won the Blyth Estuary division for Reform UK with 1,108 votes — Reform's third Suffolk County Council seat of the day.
Conservative John Cooper on 877, Liberal Democrat Andrew Turner just 11 votes further back on 866, and Green Rachel Kellett on 778. Just 99 votes separated second from fourth.
Labour's Michael Rowan-Robinson polled 484.
Matthews' winning margin over Cooper was 231. Turnout was 51%.
Here's how we look so far:
10:50
Greens win their first seat of the day in Bungay
Peter Aiano has taken the Bungay division for the Green Party, polling 1,681 votes to win the Suffolk County Council seat comfortably.
Reform UK's Herbie Crossman finished second on 1,180, with the Conservatives' Victoria Drew-Batty pushed into third on 629.
Liberal Democrat John Awty took 207, Labour's Tim Mobbs 140, and the Official Monster Raving Loony Party's Eddie Marmite Salmagundy Henderson rounded out the ballot on 25.
Aiano's winning margin over Crossman was 501. Turnout was 51%.
10:45
Reform UK take Aldeburgh & Leiston
Rachael Tecklenberg has won the Aldeburgh & Leiston division for Reform UK, taking the Suffolk County Council seat with 1,156 votes.
Conservative Tom Faulkner finished second on 943, with Green candidate Sarah Whitelock just 12 votes further back on 931.
Labour's Eva Turner polled 322 and Liberal Democrat Bradley Clements 203.
Tecklenberg's winning margin over Faulkner was 213. Turnout came in at 43%, with 3,567 of 8,216 ballot papers issued. Twelve papers were rejected.
It means Reform UK are three from three in Suffolk, so far.
10:36
In case you missed it, here's our article from yesterday, analysing projections that Reform would take majority control of the county council:
Oliver Rouane-Williams
10:31
Carlton & Whitton has been won by Richard Read of Reform, following June Mummery winning in Carlton Colville, making it two from two for Reform so far in the county council elections. We're still waiting for our first Ipswich division result.
Carlton Colville
- June Mummery (Reform): 1,346 (winner)
- Letitia Smith (Con): 447
- Alan Barnes (Green): 411
- Chris Thomas (Lib Dem): 220
- Marilyn Sayer (Labour): 211
09:45
Helen Pluck has briefed everyone in attendance, and the count is underway.
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