Residents across nine wards in Woodley and Earley voted in last week's Wokingham Borough Council elections, and the results point to a sharp shift in local support.
Labour MP Yuan Yang attended the count but it was a tough night for her side: party favourites Andy Croy and Rona Noble failed to secure Bulmershe and Coronation or Thames.
Ms Yang won the Woodley and Earley constituency at the 2024 general election with 40% to the Conservatives' 38%, but Labour's local vote share has since plunged.
The Conservatives led the council vote on 31.4%, the Liberal Democrats were close on 29.3%, Reform UK made a strong debut with 17.7% and the Greens took 11.4%. Labour trailed on just 8.4%.
Several new councillors were elected: Conservative David Bragg won Loddon and Leon Cook took Thames, defeating high-profile Liberal Democrat Katrin Harding. Mr Cook, known to be ambitious, said he thought Charvil was developing in the right way: "The trouble we have in Thames and in Wokingham is that national housing targets."
The Liberal Democrats picked up Spencer's Wood and Swallowfield where former air force serviceman Chris Johnson was elected. Reform's Kai Meade polled nearly 21% in Bulmershe and Coronation. Mr Meade has previously drawn criticism for social media comments, including stating that "Islam isn't an inclusive faith...and doesn't align with the values of equality or respect that our country and our society has been built upon".
At ward level the Lib Dems did well in Hawkedon, Hillside, Maiden Erlegh and Whitegates, South Lake, and Spencer's Wood and Swallowfield. The Conservatives topped Bulmershe and Coronation, Loddon, Shinfield and Thames. Smaller shares went to an independent in Shinfield and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition in Spencer's Wood and Swallowfield.
The picture is now fragmented and competitive across Woodley and Earley, with Conservatives and Liberal Democrats leading and Reform UK establishing a significant presence, while Labour's drop in support is striking.
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
