Warning Shots for Labour Fired in Doncaster

Doncaster was named as a key target for Reform UK by Nigel Farage, and after Labour lost control of the council in the 1 May elections, Reform made good on its word - winning 37 seats compared to Labour’s 12. But Labour has managed to just about hold on to the mayoralty by a mere 698 votes, with Reform’s Alexander Jones close on their heels.

Despite the evident loss of confidence in Labour across Doncaster, the longstanding local credibility of Mayor Ros Jones proved just strong enough to withstand the growing support for Reform.

This result reveals a dual narrative. On the one hand, Reform UK’s surge in council seats is a statement of discontent from voters in a traditional Labour stronghold. This was particularly signalled by only one of Ros Jones’ previous cabinet maintaining their seat during last week’s election. On the other, Ros Jones’ narrow victory, which sees her return for her fourth term as mayor, suggests that local trust and personal track record still matter, even in the face of a national political backlash.

Jones, who has served as mayor since 2013, has long been seen as a steady hand in Doncaster politics. Her administration has overseen major regeneration projects and, more recently, played a key role in securing the reopening of Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, which is an issue that has resonated strongly with local voters.

That credibility, built over more than a decade, likely made the difference in a race where national sentiment was clearly turning against Labour. Where Reform UK’s Alexander Jones secured 23,107 votes, Ros Jones won 23,805 - a margin of less than 3%.

The Conservatives, once the main opposition, were pushed into third place. Reform’s rise in Doncaster mirrors a broader trend seen across parts of the North and Midlands, where disillusionment with both Labour and the Conservatives is fuelling support for alternative options to the two dominant parties.

For Labour, holding the mayoralty provides a thin veneer of continuity, as Jones and her cabinet will make most of the key decisions, but the loss of council control and the scale of Reform’s gains are a clear warning. Doncaster is not just any council. It sits within the constituencies of senior Labour figures, including Ed Miliband. If Labour cannot hold the line here, it raises serious questions about the party’s ability to retain its Red Wall base at the next general election.

Ros Jones herself acknowledged the national context in her post-election remarks, criticising the government’s handling of welfare and winter fuel, and calling for more responsive leadership from Westminster.

Ros Jones’ narrow victory highlights an important lesson for Labour: local credibility still matters. When the party puts forward candidates with strong community ties and a proven track record, it can still succeed. But in Doncaster, that was not enough across the board, as Labour lost 28 seats in the wards. While many residents acknowledged the dedication of Labour’s ward candidates, it didn’t translate into votes. The results suggest that although Labour can still draw on pockets of local loyalty, that support is fragile, and increasingly dependent on visible change both locally and nationally.

The Doncaster result is not just a local story. It is a snapshot of a political landscape in flux, where traditional loyalties are fraying, and new forces are reshaping the electoral map. For Labour, it is a reminder that while national messaging matters, local trust can still tip the balance. But only just.