Reform UK's success in Stevenage in last week's elections to Hertfordshire County Council reflects "frustration" from voters, the town's Labour MP has said.

Kevin Bonavia told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the election results – with Reform winning five of the six seats in Stevenage – mean MPs and Labour councillors "who are working day in and day out need to show that we understand these concerns".

He said: "People have had many years with tough things going on their lives – cost of living, public services not being anywhere near as good as they used to be, and people want a change.

"That's what we were elected on last year, and now we've got other people saying they'll deliver change.

"Our Labour message is to reach out beyond some single issues that other parties stand for, and we've got to be there for people's concerns generally.

"My job as the MP for Stevenage is to act as that conduit between our town and the government, and make sure when the government can act we will do that.

"[People] are feeling poorer compared to how they were over ten years ago.

"They worry for their family, they worry for their future generations, and it's not enough for us to say we are going to change things.

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"People need to feel it, and I don't think people are feeling it yet.

"The one thing I feel I need to get over to government is that we need to do more to deliver on those tangible benefits that people want to see in their lives.

"Can they see a doctor? Is their child going to do well at school? Do we have a proper and fair welfare system? That's what we need to be working on."

He paid tribute to Ellie Plater, now former Labour councillor for Bedwell division, who he said had "worked her absolute socks off" since her by-election victory last year.

The other four seats gained by Reform UK in Stevenage were previously held by the Conservatives, while the Liberal Democrats held their seat in Chells, where Reform UK finished second.

Alex Clarkson, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Stevenage at last year's general election, said after the result that "the tectonic plates are shifting".

He said: "Will Reform replace the Conservatives? No. But what I think is clear is Reform are here to stay.

"People were still disappointed by the last Conservative government and let down.

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"But what has come through just as clearly is the anger, the real anger, from pensioners right down to young families, to businesses, about the current Labour administration.

"One of those big issues, particularly in Stevenage, was immigration.

"That's why I think we are seeing a huge Reform breakthrough."

Mr Clarkson thanked Cllr Phil Bibby, who lost his seat in St Nicholas division, and said he had done a "fine job" as the county council's cabinet member for highways.