REFORM were always likely to do well in Barnsley’s local elections but very few could have predicted their dominance and Labour’s capitulation which led to a historic majority victory for Nigel Farage’s party.

Election polls had predicted 37 seats for Reform a number that seemed somewhat ambitious.

But the reality was even worse for the Labour Party who lost a huge 35 seats while Reform romped to a massive 42 seats in the town hall.

Both parties have admitted that the poor feeling around Prime Minister Keir Starmer has led to this result, though Reform say that local issues were also at the forefront of local’s mind when they were entering the polling booths.

Calls have now been made for Starmer to resign because good local councillors have lost their jobs, seemingly down to his leadership.

It’s not yet known whether that will be the case but one thing is for certain if Labour are to ever to pull back their staunch local support here in Barnsley something needs to change in central government.

But for as much as it was disastrous for Labour, it was incredible for Reform.

That is the story locally they have taken over the town hall after more than 50 years of Labour control.

Farage admitted he wasn’t as confident as some for a majority when he arrived in the town last month and he must have been watching on Friday in amazement.

It was clear from the start of the count that there was going to be a momentous change coming.

The mood from Labour and some Lib Dems was grim to say the least.

But the first result Central ward saw all three Labour councillors re-elected to their seats.

This was followed by Sir Steve Houghton, the former leader, and his Cudworth colleague Joe Hayward also winning in their ward.

But Anita Cherryholme was ousted by Reform candidate Stanley John Bryan and Sir Steve was clearly emotional on the stage and in interviews afterwards accepted that Labour would no longer be in control of the town hall.

And from there, Reform dominated.

Seven straight wards North East, Athersley and New Lodge, Hoyland Milton, Royston, Dodworth, Stainborough and Tankersley, Dearne South and Monk Bretton saw three Reform councillors elected.

And from there their lead was unassailable.

That was halted by the Lib Dems won the Kingstone and Darton East wards, before Reform took over control of Dearne North.

Penistone East once a Tory stronghold but in recent years has turned red was interesting as Councillor Alex Burnett received more than 2,000 votes and Frances Nixon was elected for Labour for the first time.

But John Roberts lost his seat and was replaced by Kay Hughes of Reform.

Darfield and Great Houghton, then Stairfoot, also turned turquoise.

The latter which included chairman Edward Dillingham and former Barnsley Independent Group councillor Andrew Gillis saw Reform reach the needed 32 seats for a majority and cheers were incredibly loud from the crowd as deputy returning officer Wendy Popplewell announced the results.

From the get-go it was coming but it seemed written in the stars that it would happen during the chairman’s seat announcement.

Old Town then turned fully Labour after former councillor Clive Pickering had defected to the Lib Dems with Brandon Green the newly-elected Labour member.

Something must be said that the only two areas to be fully controlled by Labour are the two closest to the town centre.

No-one can deny the transformation of the town centre but many clearly feel it has been prioritised over other areas of the town.

The Rockingham and Worsbrough wards saw two independent councillors Jake Lodge and Andy Wray re-elected alongside two Reform candidates.

It shows that being a good councillor, getting out on the streets and listening to residents does pay off and they were well worth their re-election given their work across their patches since being appointed.

James Higginbottom was re-elected in Wombwell alongside Reform’s Theresa and Andy Arnold with the Labour Party avoiding another huge loss of a highly-thought of and ambitious member.

The last ward of Friday night Darton West saw numerous recounts as cabinet member Trevor Cave lost his seat to three Reform councillors by just six votes.

Gone are the days where people can say ‘put a red rosette on anything and people will vote for it’.

In fact, the only members of the previous cabinet that remain are Janine Moyes, Steve Houghton, Jo Newing and James Higginbottom with big names such as deputy leader Caroline Makinson and Kevin Osborne losing their seats.

The total turnout for the election was 37.25 per cent, dwarfing the 24 per cent turnout back in May 2024.

Many issues some of which national have been used as the reasoning for the huge uptake in voters.

But there’s no doubt that the Reform Party locally managed to mobilise their supporters to vote on polling day.

The final ward of the town Penistone West was not announced until Saturday, more than 24 hours after the count began due to numerous recounts.

And it was certainly a nail-biter.

Just three votes separated third from fifth as two Lib Dems were elected and one candidate from Reform were elected.

The make-up of the town hall has now completely changed.

Reform have 42 seats, Labour now the official opposition 11, Lib Dems eight and there are two independents.