THE former leader of Barnsley Council Sir Steve Houghton admits it will be hard to take a step back after leading at the town hall for the last 30 years.
He was elected alongside his fellow Labour member Joe Hayward in the Cudworth ward.
However, Anita Cherryholme lost her seat and will be replaced by Reform UK councillor Stanley John Bryan.
Sir Steve told the Chronicle: “I'm pleased that Joe and myself got elected but absolutely devastated Anita didn't, she's a fantastic councillor.
"I hope she can come back another day because she's a real loss to the people of Cudworth.
"When we've talked to people all they said to us is, 'oh you're doing a great job as a council but we're not voting for you'.
"Why is that? Keir Starmer, the government et al.
"And this year the local elections have been more about government policy nationally than they've ever been locally than any time I've ever seen.
"So Reform played that card very cleverly but the government's got to recognise the discontent that there is in many communities across Britain."
He admits it was the most difficult election he has ever been a part of.
"This has been the most difficult, in the past we've always managed to maintain a majority, we haven't managed to do that today.
"There's going to be a big change.
"We have to respect that, people have voted for that, but nonetheless it is going to be hard to take for some of our members who have worked so hard."
He said a joint approach with Reform is what's needed moving forward.
"We will work with anyone for a positive agenda for Barnsley and the opportunities that are still to come that are in the pipeline, we mustn't lose those.
"So if Reform want to continue with that, they'll get our support.
"Alternatively, if they want to go down a different path, then they'll find us constructively challenging some of that."
Steve has been the leader of the council since 1996 and admits it will be difficult to take a step back.
He said: "It's going to be really difficult, I've got to empty the office so there will be lots of memories in there.
"But in the end you have to respect the democratic process, whatever reasons behind it, that's now on its way for change.
"We'll respect that and do our new jobs to the best we can.”
