In a conference suite on the fourth floor of Lancashire County Council's headquarters, Joshua Roberts smiles as he is handed his new badge. The 27-year-old's photo ID includes his name and new title – Lancashire County Councillor – and hangs off a lanyard that's coincidentally in the trademark turquoise of Reform UK. Roberts runs a website and social media business and has never held elected office before, but now he's one of 53 Reform councillors responsible for running services on behalf of more than 1.2 million people across Lancashire. "I am new, but we've got experienced people too," he said. "I'm glad we're not all new because it would be very intimidating. "We've had really good officers who have helped us. We've got experienced county councillors who've helped us as well. I feel at ease, I feel like we're going to make real good change." Roberts and his colleagues were attending an induction day organised by council staff for newly elected councillors to get to grips with their roles. As well as collecting their lanyards and being assigned IT login details, there were officers on hand to talk through some aspects of council services and how the authority works. Having taken 53 of the council's 84 seats the party has a significant majority. It marks a big change for a council which had been led by the Conservatives since 2017, and which had been dominated by the Tories and Labour for decades before that. While most of the newly elected have never been councillors before, there are some who bring experience – like Ged Mirfin, a Conservative councillor who switched to Reform UK six weeks before the elections. "We're getting very badly criticised at the moment for lacking political experience," he said. "But I've never seen a group of people who've had such a large amount of experience from the real world, the world of work." Lancashire County Council is one of 10 local authorities thatReform UK won outright control of at the local elections. Its performance in running the councils it now controls is being seen as a test of the party's ability to govern. The relatively new party has grown quickly, and there's been a push to put infrastructure in place. Following the local elections, more than 500 newly-elected councillors attended an event in London where a party source said they were "trained by hardened council veterans on how they can be the most effective champions for their local communities". Reform UK has been criticised for a lack of clarity about its plans for the councils it now runs. The party's leadership has signalled priorities will include reversing net zero initiatives and opposing diversity and inclusion policies. Local authorities have little control over immigration, but Reform's chairman Zia Yusuf has pledged to challenge the use of hotels to house migrants, while Nigel Farage has spoken of a "DOGE" for every council, referring toElon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, set up in the US to root out waste. In Lancashire, Cllr Stephen Atkinson is the council leader. He's one of Reform's new councillors who does come with experience, having previously been the Conservative leader of Ribble Valley council before defecting. Sitting in his office at the council's headquarters in Preston, he said the party wanted to "look at every line in the budget" before making decisions. "We need to look at the finances and understand what's happening," he said. "We're determined that this council will have a balanced budget. It will address some of the legacy issues such as special educational needs and development and adult social care. "But we don't want to get into how we are going to do that until we see how the money is." Lancashire County Council, like many authorities across England, has faced budget pressures with growing demand for adults and children services in particular. These services are often statutory, which means a council has to provide them by law, and they make up a significant proportion of the council's budget. Cllr Atkinson said: "Two thirds of the budget are on these legal services that you have to provide. That means there is one third that can be looked at… we've got to look at it and say if it helps residents great – if doesn't, why are we doing it? "That's the advantage of Reform – it's a fresh pair of eyes. We have 53 councillors of which 50 are new councillors. "They can see the wood from the trees, they bring that challenge. We do that professionally and in a collaborative manner – but that is a mandate we have to do that." The party is conscious of the scrutiny it will face as the new kids on the political block, who've talked up their own chances of getting the keys to Downing Street in a matter of years. Outside the first full meeting of Lancashire's new-look council there were protests, with trade unionists among those holding banners and placards reading "refugees welcome" and "say no to Reform UK", with speakers saying cutting "waste" would mean cutting services and jobs. Asked about people who are worried about cuts, Cllr Atkinson said: "If it affects residents, we'll try not to do it. It's some of the other things that don't affect residents. "But this is all conditional on the spending review in June. I hope the government will treat Reform councils fairly." Inside the council chamber, the block of Reform councillors vastly outnumbered the other parties as they took their seats to go through the official process of appointing the leader and cabinet - which is made up of all men. The Conservatives – who ran the council up until the elections in May – said so far there's little policy detail about Reform's plans. Group leader Aidy Riggott said: "Businesses will be sat waiting and wondering, especially those in maybe the clean energy sector or the renewable sector, wondering if Lancashire's a place where I can still invest my money." The independent and Green councillors who now make up the official opposition said they wanted to "hold Reform to account". Independent councillor Almas Razakazi added: "My ward is very impoverished. It's full of different nationalities, and lots of people who are immigrants and they put a lot into the economy, so I want to make sure they are properly represented and treated fairly." It is early days for Reform in power, and in Lancashire the party is keen to stress they want to work with officers from the council to take time before making policy decisions. The challenge is now whether the party can deliver on what they've promised - something many political parties have found is easier said than done.
Reform UK prepares for real power on a council it now dominates
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Reform UK Gains Control of Lancashire County Council Amid Scrutiny and Expectations"
Bbc News
6.0
TruthLens AI Summary
Reform UK has made significant strides in local governance after securing a majority at Lancashire County Council, taking control of 53 out of 84 seats. This marks a substantial shift from the Conservative leadership that had dominated the council since 2017. Newly elected councillor Joshua Roberts, who has no prior political experience but runs a website and social media business, expressed optimism about their potential to effect real change, supported by both experienced council members and council staff during an induction event. The party's rapid growth and its ability to implement effective governance will be closely scrutinized as it embarks on its new role managing services for over 1.2 million residents. The council's leadership, now under Cllr Stephen Atkinson, plans to meticulously review the budget to address pressing issues such as special educational needs and adult social care, while also ensuring a balanced budget amidst rising demands for council services.
Despite the enthusiasm among its new members, Reform UK faces criticism for its lack of clarity regarding its governance plans. The party intends to reverse certain initiatives, including net zero policies, and has raised concerns about immigration management, reflecting a broader political agenda. Protests have emerged outside council meetings, highlighting opposition from trade unions and community advocates worried about potential cuts to essential services. Cllr Atkinson has reassured constituents that any cuts will be approached carefully, focusing on non-essential expenditures. As the council's first full meeting unfolded, the Reform councillors were met with skepticism from opposition parties, who emphasized the need for accountability and representation for diverse communities. The coming months will be critical for Reform UK as they strive to fulfill their commitments while navigating the complexities of local governance.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an overview of Reform UK's recent electoral success in Lancashire County Council, highlighting the party's newfound control and the implications of this shift. It emphasizes the profiles of newly elected councillors, their backgrounds, and the potential for change within the council.
Political Shift and Control
Reform UK now holds a significant majority with 53 out of 84 seats in the Lancashire County Council, marking a notable departure from Conservative leadership that had persisted since 2017. This transition suggests a broader trend of changing political dynamics in local governance, possibly reflecting voter discontent with traditional parties. The article hints at a desire to portray Reform UK as a fresh alternative, with a mix of experienced and new members.
Perception Management
The piece seeks to create a positive perception of Reform UK by focusing on the new councillors' enthusiasm and their connection to the community. By emphasizing the induction process and support from experienced officers, the article aims to mitigate concerns about the newcomers' political inexperience. This approach might be intended to reassure the public that despite their lack of formal political backgrounds, the new councillors are capable of making impactful changes.
Concealing Challenges
While the article promotes a sense of optimism, it glosses over potential challenges the new councillors may face, such as navigating local governance complexities or addressing criticisms regarding their untested political skills. The focus on positivity could be seen as an attempt to divert attention from these concerns, which might affect public trust in their capabilities.
Manipulative Elements
The article’s narrative leans towards manipulation by selectively presenting information that enhances Reform UK's image while downplaying the potential pitfalls. The language used aims to inspire confidence and hope, possibly at the expense of a more balanced view of the situation. This could inadvertently lead to an overestimation of the party’s immediate effectiveness in governance.
Comparison with Other Media
In comparison to other political coverage, this article seems to align with a trend of highlighting populist movements and their rise in local governance. It mirrors a broader narrative found in various media outlets that scrutinize established political parties while elevating newer alternatives. Such coverage could suggest a growing media bias towards the portrayal of political change as inherently positive.
Impact on Society and Politics
The consolidation of power by Reform UK may influence local policies, potentially steering them in a direction aligned with the party's platform. This shift could also inspire similar movements elsewhere, potentially reshaping political landscapes in other regions. The article implies that the new council will aim to implement significant changes, which might stir both support and opposition among constituents.
Community Support Base
The article appears to resonate with voters seeking change from traditional political parties, particularly those disillusioned with the long-standing dominance of Conservatives and Labour. It may appeal to a demographic that values real-world experience and a break from conventional political practices.
Market Considerations
Although this local political shift may not directly impact stock markets or global economies, it could influence local business environments depending on policy changes enacted by the new council. Companies operating within Lancashire might need to adapt to new regulations or initiatives introduced by the Reform UK-led council.
Global Context
On a broader scale, the rise of Reform UK might reflect a global trend where populist movements gain traction against established political parties. This shift intersects with ongoing global discussions about governance, representation, and public discontent with traditional political structures.
AI Influence in Writing
There is a possibility that AI tools were utilized in the composition of this article, particularly in structuring the narrative to emphasize certain aspects while minimizing others. AI could have influenced the writing style, crafting a tone that is both engaging and supportive of the party's message.
In summary, the article serves to promote Reform UK's image positively while potentially downplaying the complexities of their new political roles. The overall reliability of the article could be questioned due to its selective emphasis and omission of potential challenges.