Reform UK set to ‘make gains’ across North East – polling

Last year, Nigel Farage’s party took control of Durham County Council in a historic result and has led national opinion polling for much of the last year.

Data compiled by PollCheck shows Mr Farage’s party are currently polling well in the North East, with many seats up for grabs in the May 7 elections – Gateshead and Sunderland look to be the places where Reform UK might perform the best.

PollCheck has predicted that Reform would take control of Sunderland City Council, making it the second in the region to be controlled by the party, with it winning 38 of the 75 seats up for grabs in the all-out election where every ward is up for re-election.

Projections suggest Labour could see its number of councillors cut from 49 to just 23.

A Reform spokesman said: “Last year, Reform UK won hundreds of council seats, including in the North East, and already we’re seeing the positive impact the party is having in those areas.

“This election is an opportunity for voters to have their say on the weak and incompetent Labour administrations both locally and nationally.

“Only by delivering big Reform wins in the North East and across the UK can we deliver the fatal blow to the two-party establishment, get Starmer out, and begin fixing Britain.”

Green

Another insurgent party hoping to do well on May 7 is the Green Party, led by left wing eco populist Zack Polanski.

The Greens already have a strong base in South Tyneside, where they are now projected by PollCheck to challenge Reform for second place, while party insiders feel confident that they can ‘directly challenge’ Mr Farage in the area.

Alex McKay, Green Party North East regional coordinator, said: “Across the North East we’re very excited by the reception we’ve received on the doorstep.

“When we’ve analysed this response, it looks like we’re challenging for control of both South Tyneside and Newcastle Councils.

“We also expect to make major gains across Gateshead, North Tyneside and Sunderland. National polling results, though positive for Greens, very clearly underestimate the levels of support we have identified and so we are hopeful of excellent results this May 7.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski visits Darlington. (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Labour

The Labour Party is projected to have a troublesome May, with seats up for election that they last contested at the height of the Boris Johnson Partygate scandal.

Sir Keir Starmer’s party has slid down the national opinion polls since it was elected to government in 2024, becoming the third most popular party in many UK-wide polls. And it looks set to lose control of Sunderland, Gateshead and Newcastle councils in what would be a huge blow for the party given its historic ties to the region.

Despite this, Labour says it is “fighting hard for every vote” in the North East.

“Labour councils in the North East have a proud track record of delivery and now working with a Labour government we’re making changes that will lift children out of poverty, back local businesses and strengthen communities across the region,” a spokesperson said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

Potential results

Poll aggregator, PollCheck, has said these could be the most likely results on May 7, based on current opinion polls.

Gateshead – No overall control (was Labour)

Newcastle – No overall control (was Labour)

Sunderland – Reform (was Labour)

South Tyneside – No overall controll

North Tyneside – Labour hold

Hartlepool – Labour minority