Hester’s Way have officially voted in their first ever Reform councillor in the Cheltenham Borough Council elections.
“With Labour, I find that they’re going back on everything they’ve promised. Everything that Starmer promised, was a dream that turned into a nightmare,” says resident Luke Davis.
Hester’s Way locals we spoke to say they are annoyed by the lack of action from the Labour Party in Government.
Following Reform’ candidate Callum Eldridge’s victory in this ward, there are suggestions residents want change but remain unsure of what they will get with Reform.
Rhys, another local in his twenties, said: “Hopefully it will improve, we will have to wait and see how it goes”.
Reform’s first ever local council election win in Cheltenham was by the very fine margin of just 16 votes. It has been a Liberal Democrats safe seat for at least the last decade.
Historically a Lib Dem voter in Hester’s Way, Guy Fear suggested a change of party “sounds good to me” feeling a lack of support from many of the large parties “no one else was doing anything”.
The general sentiment of wanting change has been felt across the UK especially from within the Labour Party where Sir Kier Starmer had to face growing questions about his leadership including from MPs after the local elections.
Mr Eldridge who won the Hester’s Way seat, was the only Reform victory across Cheltenham.
Despite also claiming a need for change, local resident Gabri Marazochi described Reform’s policies as “only beneficial towards minority such as rich people” arguing they won’t help people in Hester’s Way.
Cheltenham’s election echoed the results from around the country with The Green Party being re-elected in two seats while Labour struggled.
Across the rest of Cheltenham, the Lib Dems swept the rest of the local council elections, continuing their growing presence. The town also has a Lib Dem MP in Max Wilkinson.
The Lib Dems held onto their huge majority from the 2024 election where all 40 seats went up for election, only losing the one seat to Reform.
With the low turnout of 29% in Hester’s Way and Eldridge’s narrow victory margin of just 16 votes, Reform still have a long way to go, with such a narrow victory.
But, Lib Dem’s loss of a seat they have held for over a decade is significant.
By Adam Herrington with additional reporting by Ella Powys.
