Northumberland Conservatives have bucked the national trend, remaining the biggest party In Northumberland at the local elections. They returned 26 councillors with a clear mandate to form a council administration. Council leader Glen Sanderson has said he will ‘look to work with others’ to ensure a wide representation of the people of Northumberland is achieved.

Despite a reduction from previous numbers, this outcome demonstrates an endorsement from the people of Northumberland to continue leading the council as it delivers quality services, with value for money.

Labour were almost wiped out at the election, obtaining only 8 seats (down from 21). In Ashington, where they usually weigh their votes, Labour were reduced to one seat, which they held with a 6 vote majority.

Reform UK emerged as a new contender, gaining 23 seats and becoming the second-largest party on the council. Despite their success, it is still unclear what they hope to achieve for Northumberland residents, having run a campaign entirely based on national interests over which the council has little control.

Elsewhere in the county, Independents, Liberal Democrats, and Greens obtained 7, 3, and 2 seats respectively.

Northumberland Conservatives' victory is the third in a row, having also been the biggest party in 2017 and 2021.