Why Lincolnshire turned a lighter shade of blue
Carol Steels and husband David are not surprised by Reform's performance in Lincolnshire
- Published
A turquoise wave has swept over Lincolnshire, as Reform takes control of the county council and welcomes Dame Andrea Jenkyns to the position of mayor. BBC News visits Louth to discover why this Conservative Party heartland turned a lighter shade of blue.
"I need a holiday," laughs Carol Steels, 68, grabbing husband David's arm to stop him outside Louth Travel Centre.
Adverts in the window promote turquoise waves lapping on to the sun-soaked beaches of Kefalonia and Florida.
But it is a turquoise wave, closer to home, I am keen to hear their views on this afternoon.
Specifically, the splash caused by Reform in both the Lincolnshire County Council and mayoral elections.
"We're Conservative voters," says Mrs Steels. "I think our local, Conservative MPs do a good job, but I can well understand why the county voted as it did."
Dame Andrea Jenkyns is elected mayor of Greater Lincolnshire
Earlier, Reform UK took overall control of Lincolnshire County Council from the Conservatives. It also saw Dame Andrea Jenkyns elected as the county's first mayor following a resounding victory.
Dame Andrea won in every area of the county except one with a total of 104,133 votes. Rob Waltham, for the Conservative Party, came second with 64,585 votes.
Outgoing council leader Martin Hill, who led the authority for 20 years, told the BBC of a "tidal wave of Reform crashing over us".
Mr Steels, taking a moment away from the calm waters of Kefalonia, offers further insight on the political sea change.
"This Labour government is trying to please everybody," he says. "The prime minister should speak his mind more like Nigel [Farage].
"The Conservatives have been too busy backstabbing each other. Meanwhile, this election Reform have been telling everyone they will get things done for local communities.
"They also told people they will deal with issues around immigration."
Could it be seen as a protest vote, I ask.
"Yes, I think it was," replies Mrs Steels. "People have just lost faith in politics. They want something different."
Inside the travel agency, assistant Jo Pacey, feels the same.
"People here voted for Reform because they don't like the alternatives," she says.
Travel agents Terry Robinson and Jo Pacey say people wanted change
However, owner Terry Robinson, 75, admits he was surprised by the outcome of the elections.
"The country has been looking for another party to come in for years," he says. "But I thought when it came to people putting their X in the box on voting day they'd back off. But that doesn't seem to have happened. People clearly want change in Lincolnshire."
Andrew Dennis, 62, is selling flowers in the market.
"We need change, it's as simple as that," he says. "I'm here every day and that's what everyone tells me. They tell me they're fed up of Labour and the Conservatives."
Stallholder Andrew Dennis, right, says customers tell him they want illegal immigration tackled
Mr Dennis thinks Reform made its gains on its stance on immigration.
"Everyone is saying the same about needing to tackle illegal immigration to be fair," he says.
"Reform, during the election campaigns, have been saying they will deal with the problem [illegal immigration], and I think people here think Nigel Farage will do that. The other parties have not been able to sort it."
But not all are fans.
Young voter Amber Burton says Reform does not represent her
Student Amber Burton, 20, says she is "very, very disappointed" with the election results.
"I really do not support Reform in any way, shape or form," she says. "I believe they have very dangerous values. I don't like Farage and his immigration and foreign policies."
She is not surprised by the outcomes of the elections, however.
"We're a Tory stronghold here," she says. "We're going further to the right, and I can see us one day having a Reform MP, just as they do in Skegness."
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here, external.
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