The UK Independence Party (Ukip) has been wiped out at England’s local elections, losing all six seats it was defending. The pro-Brexit party lost two councillors in Folkestone & Hythe, one in South Staffordshire, one in Tamworth, one in Tendring and one in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole.
It points to a sharp decline in Ukip’s political fortunes since it won the largest share of the vote of any party at the 2014 European elections. Ukip’s rise contributed to then-prime minister David Cameron’s decision to announce a referendum on EU membership.
But the party’s influence has dwindled since Nigel Farage stepped down as leader in 2016. Ukip, now led by former Tory MP Neil Hamilton, has no MPs in the House of Commons.
