Northumberland County Council
Unitary authority for Northumberland since 2009, based at County Hall in Morpeth.
On 1 October 2026, Labour took Northumberland County Council's Hirst and Amble divisions from Reform UK, winning Hirst on 50.1% and Amble on 38.8%, in some of the first council contests of the autumn with Restore Britain on the ballot.
Last refreshed: 7 October 2026
What do Labour's Hirst and Amble gains say about Reform in Northumberland?
Timeline for Northumberland County Council
Held the Hirst and Amble by-elections
UK Local Elections 2026: Mentioned in: Labour takes Hirst and Amble from ReformBackground
Northumberland County Council has been the unitary authority for Northumberland since 2009, providing both county and district services from County Hall in Morpeth. It has 69 councillors.
On 1 October 2026 Labour gained two of its divisions, Hirst and Amble, from Reform UK at by-elections, winning Hirst on 50.1% and Amble on 38.8%. They were among the first council contests of the autumn with Restore Britain on the ballot.
The two seats were the only Reform losses among 19 English council by-elections held between 3 September and 1 October 2026.