A timeline graphic of the Kirklees Council chaos. Left panel shows May 7 election results: Reform UK 29 seats (needing 35 for majority). Middle panel shows May 20 meeting chaos with direct quotes from confused Reform councillors: "I do not understand the constitution" — Sarah Wood, and "We don't understand what an amendment is" — unnamed Reform councillors. Right panel shows outcome: no leader elected, meeting adjourned, chief executive acting as leader, May 29 deadline approaching. Bottom quote: "They won the election. They couldn't govern the council."
Local Government, Reform UK

Why Reform UK’s Kirklees Council victory exposed its fatal flaw

Reform won 29 seats but couldn’t elect a leader. Newly-elected councillors admitted they didn’t understand standing orders, amendments, or the […]