Richard Edwards
in Huddersfield

Kirklees Council has begun reporting results.

Reform UK have taken all three seats in Colne Valley East.

It looks like Labour's Graham Turner, who had been integral to the authority's town centre improvement plans, was edged out.

In Netherton and Newsome the Greens take all three seats -veteran Kirklees Green Andrew Cooper gets 2,703 votes.

Aisha Iqbal
Political reporter, Bradford

I have just spoken to Bradford's Independents group leader Talat Sajawal and long-serving councillor David Ward.

They are confident of picking up a few seats and are willing to get around the table with other parties to form a progressive coalition.

They refuse, however, to work with Reform.

Elizabeth Baines
BBC News, Yorkshire

Celebrations in cheers and applause for Reform UK as the first results for Leeds are announced - it's the the Killingbeck and Seacroft ward.

David Dresser secures the seat with 2371 votes.

Aisha Iqbal
Political reporter, Bradford

Matt Edwards, leader of the Greens in Bradford, says it is looking likely the party will gain more seats across the district.

"We've been told we could be second in wards in which we haven't had much of a presence in the past."

The Greens currently hold 10 seats across the district.

He adds: "I'm not going to put a number on it, but if we increase our seats I'll be very happy."

Gemma Dillon
West Yorkshire political reporter

Image source, Wakefield Council

One of the big complaints from people in many of Wakefield's surrounding towns, like Castleford, is that they feel they miss out on some of the investment seen in Wakefield.

Across the district, people feel the High Street is suffering, with anti-social behaviour being a big concern for people.

A major regeneration project for the centre of Wakefield was announced in March; The Labour-led authority bought the Ridings Shopping Centre and wants to demolish it, along with four high-rise flat blocks. They want to replace it with more housing and green space in the centre.

The council has labelled the project a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, adding that they needed to commit to a way to spend government money by the end of April.

But other parties have criticised them for not carrying out enough consultation with residents and businesses around what they want to see happen.

If Reform seize the reins of power here, it will not be an easy ride.

Gemma Dillon
West Yorkshire political reporter

Here's my take on what we are seeing in Wakefield.

The Labour dominance we have seen here for decades is coming to an end.

Richard Edwards
BBC Political Reporter in Huddersfield

Grim faces on several Labour candidates and activists at the Kirklees Council count.

Though the first results are yet to be declared, Labour is bracing itself for significant losses to both the Green Party and Reform UK.

One Labour veteran says: "People were telling us they were voting for Nigel, even though we told them he isn't standing in Kirklees."

Gemma Dillon
West Yorkshire political reporter

Reform have taken three more seats in Wakefield - this time in the Featherstone ward.

Labour's Maureen Tennant-King, who is the city's current Lord Mayor, has lost her seat along with her colleagues Steve Vickers and Scott Haslam.

Grace Wood
in Keighley

Counts for Baildon and Shipley have begun here at Keighley Leisure Centre, where Labour council leader Susan Hinchcliffe is waiting to see if she will keep her seat in Windhill and Wrose.

Elizabeth Baines
in Leeds

Image source, PA

Keir Starmer is the man for the job according to the Labour MP for Leeds South.

Hilary Benn conceded it had been "a bad night for Labour" and said he was "sorry for colleagues who are not going to win seats or hard-working councillors who are going to lose their seats".

He added: "We need to get on with what we promised to do in the general election, which is to try and change the country for the better.

"Changing the country is hard graft and the party needs to unite, come together under Keir's leadership and carry on with doing precisely that."

Aisha Iqbal
Bradford political reporter

First result for Bradford is due very soon - I am told the Wyke results will be declared.

Reform candidates are looking extremely buoyant and confident of taking all three seats there from Labour.

Among the Labour scalps there would be cabinet member for Healthy people and places Sarah Ferriby.

I have spoken to two Reform candidates, Ian Walker and Ian Reed, who tell me they have already selected a group leader and chair and are ready.

They say they aim divert investment from the city centre to what they describe as "the forgotten communities who really need it".

Gemma Dillon
West Yorkshire political reporter in Wakefield

First round of results coming thick and fast here now.

It's clear there is a turquoise tidal wave sweeping through Wakefield.

The Labour leader Denise Jeffrey has lost her seat - which happens to be in the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper’s constituency.

Will she now feel pressure? Labour candidates and party members are hugging each other close to tears.

The ones I’ve spoken to feel an anger toward the national party.

Reform increasingly confident and buoyant that they will take control.

Gemma Dillon
West Yorkshire political reporter in Wakefield

The first result is in from the Merrie City - and it's a big one.

Labour council leader Denise Jeffery is out.

Three Castleford and Glasshoughton seats have switched to Reform.

Gemma Dillon
West Yorkshire political reporter

As Calderdale Council has a history of fragmented voting, it is likely to end up as "no overall control" but who will be the largest party?

The momentum appears to be with Reform UK, who look like they will pick up seats from Labour and the Conservatives.

The Green Party are also hoping to pick up a number of seats.

Gemma Dillon
West Yorkshire political reporter

Labour’s popularity seems to have collapsed in the Kirklees Council area over recent years – and I would suspect that will be reflected in these local election results.

Image source, Getty Images

There is pressure on them from all sides - Conservatives and Reform UK on the right, Greens and Independents on the left, while the Liberal Democrats have a real stake as well.

There has been growing momentum behind independent councillors in Dewsbury and Batley – frustrated with Labour councillors' choices locally, coupled with anger at the national party’s initial stance on the Gaza conflict. So I would expect that momentum to continue.

The Green Party are also hoping to pick up seats, particularly in Huddersfield where they finished in second place in the 2024 General Election, fewer than 5,000 votes behind Labour.

Richard Edwards
in Huddersfield

Huddersfield's Cathedral House - where the Kirklees Council count is being held - has been transformed for the day into a cathedral of local democracy.

The gentle chatter and rustle of ballot papers from the count floor is floating up towards the balcony, where, rainbow-like, the varying colours of the different party rosettes are dotted among the settees and trestle tables.

And the Kirklees political map could resemble a rainbow, or patchwork quilt, once all the votes are counted; the Greens, Reform UK and independent candidates all licking their lips at Labour's struggles and hoping to get seats onto the board.

One of many things to watch here today - councillor durability.

Kirklees is home to a number of members with plenty of years on the clock - Conservative Martyn Bolt, for example, has been around for years.

Will his be the sort of Tory seat - and personal vote - that can withstand the Reform UK surge?

Aisha Iqbal
Political reporter, Yorkshire

There's very strong indications from Bradford that its Labour leader Susan Hinchcliffe has lost her seat along with the Lib Dem's leader Brendan Stubbs and Matt Edwards, for the Greens.

Reform look to have swept up massive chunks of the white working-class vote and all three leaders have wards which are largely white and working-class.

Many of the inner city wards are being counted tomorrow so today's results when they come shouldn't be taken as a wholesale picture.

However, I think it's safe to say the left and left centre parties vote split has benefited Reform everywhere.

A wipeout of all the four main party leaders is possible as Rebecca Poulsen for the Tories will also be facing a threat from Reform.

The phrase 'Starmergeddon' is being quoted to me by Labour activists. But overall mood is one of resignation and acceptance that the old order is collapsing and no lessons have been learned by the main parties, 10 years on from Brexit referendum.

Also, people are saying the impact of Maga-style American politics in these elections, even at local level, is undeniable.

Several long-standing councillors who think they are out are already telling me they have made plans for the future.

Gemma Dillon
West Yorkshire political reporter

The Wakefield Council election campaign has very much felt like a two-party battle between Labour and Reform UK.

Reform are confident they can overthrow Labour's control of the authority, which would be a symbolic win because of Labour’s dominance in the area for decades.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has represented the Wakefield seat of Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley — previously Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford before boundary changes — since 1997.

If they return Reform UK councillors, it could be indicative of the pressure she will be under at the next General Election.

Image source, PA Media

Reform UK were just under seven thousand votes behind her in the 2024 General Election.

Aisha Iqbal
Political reporter, Bradford

We asked college students in Bradford for their views before the election.

Here's what they told us:

Gemma Dillon
West Yorkshire political reporter

We're hearing some rumours about potential winners and losers in Wakefield.

We do know that turnout appears to be up.

The council has been controlled and run by Labour since its creation in 1974.

The area has a strong mining heritage and past, and is home to the National Coal Mining Museum.

Its current leader, Denise Jeffrey, is the authority’s first female leader.

She represents Castleford Central and Glasshoughton.

Labour holds 49 out of 63 of the council's seats and the Lib Dems hold two. Due to a couple of defections, Reform UK has two councillors, and the Conservatives are down to one councillor.

Due to boundary changes, every seat is being contested in these elections.

Each of Wakefield's 21 wards has three councillors who each hold one of the authority's 63 seats.

As well as Wakefield, the district takes in Castleford, Normanton, Featherstone and Osset.