Elections Live: Reform on track for majority control of Suffolk

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:

Reform projected to take Suffolk – but modellers urge caution

As polling stations open across Ipswich and Suffolk, a detailed pre-election projection points to a dramatic political shift at Endeavour House — but the modellers behind the numbers are the first to flag the limits of what they can tell us.

Ipswich.co.ukOliver 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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