Reform, Greens and the reality of local government leadership

What happens when challenger parties, with limited experience of executive power, take control of local authorities? Much of the media commentary surrounding the electoral successes of Reform UK and the Green Party in the May 2025 local elections focused on the potential for disruption. There was an expectation that new political actors would challenge established practices and perhaps even reshape local governance.What we found was a more complex picture. The Institute of Local Government Studies' (INLOGOV) new report explains the findings from a study of more than 20 English councils newly led by Reform or Green administrations over the year from the May 2025 local elections. The dominant theme is not revolution, but adaptation.Across the councils examined, governance systems proved remarkably robust. Established structures for decision-making, scrutiny and administration remained in place. Challenger parties did not generally dismantle these frameworks. Instead, they worked within them, learning how to navigate the procedural and legal requirements that shape local government.In Reform-led councils, we frequently observed public announcements that communicated political values, such as the type of flags flown on council buildings. Some Reform councils pursued policies such as restricting support to asylum seekers, home-to-school transport provision, or LGBT events.This process of adaptation was not without difficulty. In several Reform-led councils, the early months in office were characterised by relative instability. Leadership changes, internal disagreements and procedural missteps were more evident than in established administrations. In part, this reflected the scale of electoral success and the relatively limited experience of many of these councillors. Over time, however, there was a clear pattern of stabilisation. Members gained familiarity with their responsibilities, relationships with officers developed and governance processes became more settled.The experience of Green-led councils was somewhat different. Often operating in coalition or minority administrations, they placed a stronger emphasis on collaboration from the outset. Cross-party working, shared governance arrangements and efforts to broaden participation were common features.Despite these differences, both sets of councils were shaped by the same underlying constraints. Local government is a structured and regulated environment. Financial pressures are significant, statutory duties are extensive and national policy frameworks limit the scope for divergence. These factors exert a powerful influence on all administrations, regardless of their political composition.This was particularly evident in relation to policy-making. Both parties entered office with distinct political agendas and priorities. Yet their capacity to deliver large scale change quickly was often restricted. Instead, policy development tended to follow two paths: decisions that carried strong symbolic meaning or incremental adjustments within existing systems.In Reform-led councils, we frequently observed public announcements that communicated political values, such as the type of flags flown on council buildings. Some Reform councils pursued policies such as restricting support to asylum seekers, home-to-school transport provision, or LGBT events.In Green-led councils, environmental and social policies were often prioritised such as ‘liveable neighbourhoods' and waste collection changes, designed to encourage pro-environmental behaviours.For both parties, the ambition for change was sometimes constrained by national policy and/or public resistance to some proposed changes.Financial management reinforced this sense of continuity. Although there were differences in emphasis between the parties, with a strong Reform public narrative on cost-cutting, overall approaches remained closely aligned with sectoral norms. The constraints of funding systems, service demands and fiscal rules limit the extent to which any council can depart from established practice.Accountability arrangements also showed considerable stability. Scrutiny committees, consultation processes and formal governance mechanisms continued to operate across all the councils we examined. There were variations in how these were used, but the core structures remained unchanged.Challenger parties bring new perspectives and priorities, but they are also shaped by the institutions they enter. The experience of governing encourages pragmatism, moderates expectations and requires a focus on delivery.This is consistent with what we know from international research. Local government often serves as a training ground for political actors. It is where parties develop organisational capacity, test their ideas in practice and learn to balance political identity with operational responsibility.There are important implications for the sector. The resilience of governance systems should provide reassurance, but it should not lead to complacency. Early periods of instability highlight the need for effective induction and support for new members. Strong relationships between members and officers remain essential, particularly where political priorities may challenge established practices.For challenger parties, the lessons are clear and demanding. Electoral success is only the beginning. It involves reconciling political narratives with the practical demands of service delivery.Reflecting on this, I feel the experience of these parties has provided valuable insight into the nature of local governance. It has highlighted the importance of adaptation, the centrality of practical constraints and the enduring significance of institutional frameworks.The rise of challenger parties tells us as much about local government as it does about those parties. It shows that change is possible, but that it is shaped, channelled and often moderated by the systems within which it occurs. Challenger parties are changing local government, but local government is also changing them.Jason Lowther is director of INLOGOV. Thanks to Jonathan Davies, Chris Game, Joyce Liddle and Philip Swann for contributions to the researchThe report Challenger Parties in Power Locally is available at https://epapers.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/4446/

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POLICY AND POLITICS

Reform, Greens and the reality of local government leadership

By Dr Jason Lowther | 07 July 2026

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