Reform ends Tories' 20-year reign at Suffolk County Council

Reform UK has ended the Conservatives' 20-year reign at Suffolk County Council after taking control with a large majority of seats. The party, led nationally by Nigel Farage, won 41 seats as all 70 were up for grabs. Elsewhere, the Green Party secured 13 seats, the Tories won nine, Labour won three, and the Liberal Democrats and the Independents each took two. Chris Hudson, Reform's group leader in Suffolk, retained his seat in the Brook ward and told the BBC it had been a "very optimistic day" for the party. Labour remains in control at Ipswich Borough Council, despite losses. "It's a very, very encouraging result for Reform up and down the country," he said. "There is a lot of work to do, because there isn't a lot of money, but we look forward to working hard to represent the people – the people are the masters." When quizzed on whether he thought he would become the next leader of the council, he confidently said: "Yes, because we need a man with a plan." If he does take the top spot, he will be replacing the authority's last leader, Conservative Matthew Hicks, who was re-elected in the Thredling division, but has seen colleagues voted out. Before people went to the ballot boxes