From 'superb' to 'quite dangerous': Residents on Reform UK's win

Reform UK is now in control of both West Northamptonshire and North Northamptonshire Councils

Last week, Reform UK secured control of both North and West Northamptonshire councils in the local elections.

Councillors described hearing dissatisfaction with the mainstream parties while speaking to residents during the campaign.

Reform are now in control of both Northamptonshire councils, winning 39 seats in the North, and 42 in the West.

In Rushden, reactions to Reform's win were mixed. Here is a flavour of what residents thought.

'It's superb'

Steve Martin believes the UK has "too much immigration" with not enough resources going to the NHS

Steve Martin, who has run a High Street framing shop, In the Frame, for nearly three decades, said he was pleased with the result, despite not voting himself.

"It's great. It's superb. Hopefully we'll have change. The government needs to change," he said.

Mr Martin, who previously supported Labour, criticised immigration levels and access to healthcare, arguing that public services were stretched.

"We've got too many people thriving off our NHS while we can't get appointments ourselves," he said.

He also voiced concerns about the direction of education and social values.

"We're too worried about offending anyone. We can't teach our children about real life," he said.

'Quite dangerous'

Jackie Harris is "frightened" by the prospect of a Reform council

Others expressed unease about the party's leadership and wider ideology.

Jackie Harris, 83, a long-time Conservative voter, said she found the shift troubling.

Speaking during lunch at Mrs B's Tea Shop on the corner of the High Street and Church Street, she said: "I don't trust Reform. I don't trust Nigel Farage. I think they're quite dangerous at the moment.

"If you think [of] what happened in Germany, I'm frightened with that happening here."

'Welcome change'

Angela Patrick voted Conservative in the recent local election

Angela Patrick, 32, who also voted Conservative, said she shared some of the public's appetite for political renewal.

"I'm a much more inclusive person and although I welcome change, I don't want racism," she said.

Ms Patrick explained that her decision was partly influenced by the individual candidates in her ward, though she praised Rushden's Labour MP Gen Kitchen for her active presence in the area.

"She's so accessible. I've met her several times at local events. I would have liked to vote for Labour [in the local election], but we didn't have a good representative in the area," she said.

'If I had voted, I would have voted for Reform'

Sarah Ledger, a local business owner, and her boyfriend both support Reform

In a nearby hair salon, 31-year-old Sarah Ledger expressed strong support for Reform, though she did not vote.

While getting highlights at The Hair Lounge, Ms Ledger, who herself runs a barber shop in Higham Ferrers, said: "They need to look after the businesses. They might actually get something done without the lies.

"If I had voted, I would have voted for Reform."

She said her partner, a Trump supporter and regular listener to the Joe Rogan podcast, shared her views.

'They might be good'

Patricia Kenny voted for the Conservatives but would vote Reform now

Patricia Kenny, who voted Conservative in the local election, now regrets her decision and wishes she had backed Reform instead.

"I think they might be good, actually. I wish I'd voted for them. They seem to know the right things; they should stop the boats coming in," she said.

She also criticised past Labour policies, particularly their treatment of pensioners, and raised concerns about local infrastructure.

"There's a lot of potholes along the roads where I live and people are swerving trying to avoid them," she said.