The Reform Party were celebrating after winning 11 of the 15 seats up for grabs in the Burnley Council elections today.

This means the party now has 12 seats on Burnley Council, the most for any party.

And while council leader and leader of the Burnley Independent Group Afrasiab Anwar held on to his seat in the Bank Hall ward a number of long standing councillors lost their seats in a vote reflecting the national trend that has seen Reform win one in three seats across the country.

Conservative councillor Jamie Mc Gowan, who is also the leader of the Conservative group lost his seat in Hapton with Park to Reform candidate Steve Keogh. The deputy leader of the Labour group, Sue Graham was defeated in the Lanehead ward, to Reform candidate James Halstead.

Reform candidates celebrate their success at the Burnley Council Local Election count. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard

placeholder image — Reform candidates celebrate their success at the Burnley Council Local Election count. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard

Alun Lewis, who was defending his seat in the Gawthorpe ward, also lost out to Reform, to candidate Victoria Taylor.

But Afrasiab Anwar, the council leader and leader of the Burnley Independent Group held on to his seat in the Bank Hall ward.

Coun. Anwar, who will remain as the council leader, said: “I think today’s vote in Burnley reflects the level of feeling nationwide that Keir Starmer and the Labour Government has been a disaster.”

He thanked his supporters and said he believed his success was due to the fact the was a ‘grassroots’ politician doing whatever he could to serve residents in his ward.

And long serving Liberal Democrat councillor Gordon Birtwistle held on to his seat in the Coalclough with Deeplay ward where has served for 43 years. This was the only victory for the party who fielded six candidates. The Independents won two seats but the Conservatives and Party failed to win any of the 15 seats up for grabs.

The rest of results are as follows: Briercliffe: Mark Poulton (Reform) Brunshaw: Josh Graham (Reform) Cliviger with Worsthorne Gavin Theaker (Reform) Daneshouse with Stoneyholme Shah Hussain (Independent). Gannow Angela Radcliffe (Reform) .Gawthorpe Victoria Taylor (Reform) Hapton with Park Steve Keogh (Reform) Lanehead James Halstead (Reform) Queensgate Zulkernehn Hayat (Independent) Rosegrove with Lowerhouse Liam Thomson (Reform) Rosehill with Burnley Wood Jeff Sumner (Reform) Trinity Kev Shackell (Reform) Whittlefield with Ightenhill Chris Weekes (Reform)