Why did Reform not take more seats across Hertfordshire?

An event that took place a decade ago might provide another clue about the way some voters in Hertfordshire may feel about Reform UK.

The party’s leader, Nigel Farage, championed the Brexit cause before the EU referendum of 2016.

Many of the councils won by his party were in areas which voted to leave the EU, including Thurrock, where the 72% Brexit vote was the fourth highest in the country.

Although most areas of Hertfordshire also voted to withdraw from the EU, many did so by a very narrow margin, such as the 50.3% seen in Watford.

On the other hand, two thirds of the population in St Albans wanted to stay.

It is possible that, 10 years on, attitudes to Euroscepticism still influenced the vote.

So, Reform UK’s performance in Hertfordshire could be put down to factors including individual candidates’ backstories, Brexit and the voting system.

It is something for all the parties to chew over once they have recovered from this remarkable election.

Reform UK has been contacted for comment.