2026 Local Elections

Local elections were held on 8 May, the first real test since the 2024 general election. It was a bruising night for Labour, losing almost 1,500 council seats, and also for the Conservatives, which lost 563 seats. By contract, it was a tumultuous night for Reform UK gaining almost 1,500 councillors, and it was also a good night for the Liberal Democrats and Greens.

Reform UK took control of some councils, but only made inroads into district and borough councils as many were only electing by thirds, which did not provide enough seats to take control. If the party’s popularity continues, next May’s elections will present a further opportunity to take significant seats, and this time control of some councils.

If local government reorganisation stays on plan, there will also be elections of the new unitary councils and Reform will be targeting these at the same time, potentially being able to take control of many, which will be in ‘shadow’ until vested on 1 April 2028.

We have summerised the May results by region:

• North Thames Region (Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Suffolk and Norfolk)
• South Thames (Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire)
• South Midlands (Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire)