Reform UK is now the largest group on Burnley Borough Council. At the election on 7 May 2026 the party won 11 of the 15 seats up for election, giving it 12 seats on the 45-seat council.
No party holds overall control, which needs 23 seats. The full result was:
- Reform UK: 12
- Labour: 10
- Independent: 10
- Liberal Democrats: 6
- Conservative: 4
- Green: 3
The Reform UK group on the borough is led by Cllr Mark Poulton, who took the Briercliffe ward and was chosen as group leader at a meeting at Burnley Town Hall. Together with the four Reform county councillors who won Burnley divisions in 2025, the borough now has the strongest Reform UK presence it has ever had.
Speaking after the result, Cllr Poulton said residents had voted in large numbers for change, and pledged that the group would deliver it: “We were elected to enact change and that is what we intend to do.” The newly elected councillors also committed to holding meetings in their wards over the coming weeks to hear directly what residents want.
Being the largest group is a responsibility, not a trophy. Our councillors will use it to scrutinise spending, push for the basics to be done well, and stand up for residents across Burnley and Padiham. You can meet the whole team here.