Reform UK’s Councillor Stephen Atkinson has emerged as the new leader of Lancashire County Council following the party’s victory in the local elections on 1 May. With 53 out of 84 seats under their control, Reform UK now holds a significant majority in the authority. Atkinson, who previously led Ribble Valley Council before switching allegiance from the Conservatives, secured his seat in the county council representing Ribble Valley South West with 2,174 votes.
Hailing from Lancashire, Atkinson embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 21, co-founding a business venture with his brother. Together, they currently operate an educational furniture business and invest in commercial and industrial properties across the county. Married with two sons, Atkinson prides himself on being a dedicated family man with a strong sense of commitment to his community.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Atkinson emphasized his determination to enhance services for all residents in Lancashire. He emphasized the importance of focusing on policies that resonate with the community to drive tangible change. The incoming council leader is poised to assume his new position officially at the upcoming full council meeting on 22 May, as confirmed by Lancashire County Council. Moreover, Deputy Leader of the Reform UK group, County Councillor Simon Evans, is also expected to be ratified at the meeting alongside other councilors selected to comprise the cabinet.
Reform UK’s recent triumph in the local elections marked a significant shift in control, with the party unseating leaders from both the Conservative and Labour groups. Former Conservative council leader Philippa Williamson lost her seat to Reform’s Graham Dalton by a narrow margin of 29 votes, while the Labour leader, Matthew Tomlinson, saw his position overtaken by Hannah Whalley with a vote difference of 440. This victory ended the Conservatives’ reign, who had held 46 seats since 2017, encompassing victories in the previous election years of 2017 and 2021
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