Labour loses control of Sunderland council for the first time ever

The Local council elections have been, by all accounts, a fucking disaster for Labour. At the time of writing, Starmer’s party has lost over 500 seats up and down the country, with even more expected.

Reform UK has gained over 700 seats, and more are expected. This is despite a litany of absolutely abhorrent people running in the party.

To add to the light blue shit show, Reform has just taken control of my local council of Sunderland. Though not all seats have been declared yet, they’ve gone over the threshold of 38 out of 75 seats.

Sunderland shows Labour what it thinks, but it’s misguided

This means that not only has Labour lost control of Sunderland council, but they’ve lost it for the first time since the council was created.

Ever since Sunderland City Council was created in its own right in 1970, it’s been led by Labour. But that all changes now.

The Labour leader of Sunderland City Council Michael Mordey has lost his seat to Reform UK

Labour have won just 3 of 33 seats declared so far in Sunderland – a council they have run ever since it was created in the 1970s

— Tom Sheldrick (@TomSheldrickITV) May 8, 2026

Not only has Reform UK taken control of Sunderland Council, but the city has shown Labour just what they think of it.

Among those losing their seats is council leader Michael Mordey. Those from Reform taking seats include Paul Donaghy, Reform leader in Sunderland. Byline Times found that ten of the eleven companies registered in Donaghy’s name on Companies House had breached the Companies Act and had been ‘compulsorily struck off’.

Elsewhere in the North East, Reform took control of Hartlepool and the Newcastle council leader lost her seat.

After decades of the city being ignored and left to rot, the people are sick. But unfortunately, those disenfranchised and less politically literate have been turned by Reform.

Featured image via ChronicleLive