Reform UK is celebrating a “truly historic day” after it made huge gains in the local elections. After winning control of Essex County Council, Nigel Farage said his party “haven’t just crushed the ‘red wall’, we’ve crushed the blue wall as well”. Labour suffered a crushing defeat in Wales, where first minister Eluned Morgan lost her seat in the Senedd. The party managed to secure just nine seats, while Plaid Cymru became the largest party, with a total of 43 seats. Ms Morgan’s defeat marked