2026 Local Elections Thread

[AlterEgo]

Are there that many people in the UK who really care much about it ?

Not so many to the extent that they will change their vote beyond what they feel is right for their own interests, no.

 

[weeklycommuter]

Councillors elected for 6 county councils and 56 non-metropolitan district and unitary councils in this round of local elections in England will have their terms of office ended in less than two years on 31 March 2028 as on 1 April 2028 all 62 councils will be abolished and replaced by new unitary councils to be elected on 6 May 2027.

All those Green and Reform UK councillors elected on 7 May 2026 to those 6 county councils and 56 non-metropolitan district and unitary councils will be gone on 1 April 2028.

The elections on 7 May 2026 for the first two new unitary councils, East Surrey and West Surrey, in this local government reorganisation were won by the Liberal Democrats.

I imagine the Labour Government are privately relieved that all the other new unitary councils will be elected next year though it remains to be seen whether the results of the local elections in England on 6 May 2027 will be any better for the Labour Party than the results of the local elections in England on 7 May 2026.

 

[RT4038]

Yes.

I take it on Planet Zog there were no Gaza protests?

The war in the Middle East is the number one concern of the world at the moment, and part of the problem is the current Israeli government's extreme hawkish response. And that's before we get into the genocide in Gaza, of course.

The number of participants in Gaza protests, across the whole country was .... 0.1% of the population ? The number of voters across the whole country who would influence their voting by the UK Government stance on Gaza (which has very little influence) ..... 0.5% ? Both guesses. Certainly nobody I know, including Muslims.

I imagine every Muslim in the UK

Appalled when seeing it on the news (like most other people), but actually that concerned for it to be more important than other issues? Muslims from outside the Levant ? Not sure about that.

 

[The Ham]

Skimming through some of the results in Scotland it appears that Reform are seeing very muted results.

I suspect that with the number of MP's which Scotland export (and it's not massively adrift compared to the population size of Scotland, so it's a comment rather than a criticism) that's likely to be something which might make a Reform government a bit harder to achieve.

 

[JonathanH]

The elections on 7 May 2026 for the first two new unitary councils, East Surrey and West Surrey, in this local government reorganisation were won by the Liberal Democrats.

While obviously not traditional Labour territory, the overall vote percentage for Labour in East Surrey was 3.39%. Greens polled 11.30% taking the eight council places in Merstham, Redhill and South Reigate.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Absolutely not. I totally agree, but we seem to have decided that we want cheaper goods, and to haemorrhage money to China, rather than act in the national interest.

See also people buying imported flags from China to hang from lampposts to demonstrate their patriotism.

I often struggle with this one when I explain it to people.

Complaining about the downfall of manufacturing in the UK, low wages and immigration.

Buying cheap stuff off Amazon from China delivered by people on low wages who are often (often enough to be significant) immigrants.

The irony is often lost on them, one or two I have convinced to make changes in how they do things based on the conversation.

 

[Horizon22]

I imagine the Labour Government are privately relieved that all the other new unitary councils will be elected next year though it remains to be seen whether the results of the local elections in England on 6 May 2027 will be any better for the Labour Party than the results of the local elections in England on 7 May 2026.

A year is a long time in politics, as we can already see!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==

While obviously not traditional Labour territory, the overall vote percentage for Labour in East Surrey was 3.39%. Greens polled 11.30% taking the eight council places in Merstham, Redhill and South Reigate.

Labour has never done very well in Surrey. But they did very badly across all the other delayed counties too; only winning 1 in Essex, 3 in Suffolk and 1 in Norfolk.

 

[Ted633]

Labour has never done very well in Surrey. But they did very badly across all the other delayed counties too; only winning 1 in Essex, 3 in Suffolk and 1 in Norfolk.

Labour didn’t even have any candidates on the ballot for my area of the new East Surrey Council. Don’t recall ever having them missing completely. Was probably a good thing, as we ended up with 1 x Reform & 1 x Lib Dem. The other Reform candidate wasn’t far behind, so I’d expect as least some of the usual Labour voters (They usually got a couple hundred votes)would have voted LD.

 

[AndrewE]

The Greens did well in areas where they are strong. The Liberal Democrats did ok, they made some gains but I think we have now reached peak Ed Davey and 5th place for them on the projected national share wasn't very good.

and both got votes from people who are unable to vote for Labour's pro-Israel and dismayed by the reversal of climate-friendly policies

To most voters I would say Palestine is not really an issue. Even in general elections, issues that are seen as international issues such as Gaza are rarely a major factor in how people vote. Especially given the United Kingdom plays very little role in the war. The Free Palestine protests are a minor issue given a lot of voters are getting fed up with them but as I say it's a minor issue. One of the biggest issues at every elections is the NHS.

Also it's important to remember as well that Starmer has little control over the situation in Gaza. Both Joe Biden and Donald Trump with their pro-Israel stance, would easily drown out the British Government saying anything. I am not saying Biden and Trump are right or wrong but they are the world leaders with influence in the situation.

Nobody cares about the risk of another Lockerbie or Twin Towers then? Are we really as thick or uneducated as most in the USA who apparently can't even recognise the outline of their own state, let alone the country?

To whoever it was who said that the Gazans brought it on themselves I would point out that Israeli intelligence seems to know exactly where all their opponents' important people are all in all the countries all round them all the time. The Guardian had an article saying a female observer corps who had been reporting practise assaults and incursions for months had been ignored... draw your own conclusions.

Also although I can't find it now https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-attack-intelligence.html

Israel Knew Hamas’s Attack Plan More Than a Year Ago​

A blueprint reviewed by The Times laid out the attack in detail. Israeli officials dismissed it as aspirational and ignored specific warnings.

says exactly the same thing.
You can't possibly imagine that the people suffering there now from the miltary assaults and refusal to allow aid in had any idea at all of what was being planned?

 

[AlterEgo]

Nobody cares about the risk of another Lockerbie or Twin Towers then? Are we really as thick or uneducated as most in the USA who apparently can't even recognise the outline of their own state, let alone the country?

Would being dispassionate about Gaza at the polling booth be "bringing this on ourselves"? I find it interesting how some people try to suggest we would reap what we sow - in this case simply by being merely dispassionate or uninterested - but don't apply these standards elsewhere.

I don't think people who don't place this as their top priority - above say, the cost of living or school places or local policing- are thick.

 

[AndrewE]

Would being dispassionate about Gaza at the polling booth be "bringing this on ourselves"? I find it interesting how some people try to suggest we would reap what we sow - in this case simply by being merely dispassionate or uninterested - but don't apply these standards elsewhere.

I don't think people who don't place this as their top priority - above say, the cost of living or school places or local policing- are thick.

maybe not thick (if they can afford "school places") but incredibly blinkered and short-sighted.

 

[AlterEgo]

maybe not thick (if they can afford "school places") but incredibly blinkered and short-sighted.

...in a local election? Gaza as a top priority? Insufferable take, sorry.

 

[AndrewE]

...in a local election? Gaza as a top priority? Insufferable take, sorry.

Some people have principles, aka lines in the sand. If we had had an election this time I wouldn't have voted Labour. This "following the party line" is pernicious and why I have never joined any party. I wouldn't give the current Labour leadership any support at all, even indirectly.

 

[nw1]

Reform UK were the biggest winners of the election by far. Immigration and voter's feelings towards the effects of immigration I would say was the biggest reasons for this by far.

On 30% of the vote. To be quite honest, it's time the anti-immigrationists stop their constant complaining. It seems they will never be happy. They got their beloved Brexit, and still they weren't happy. They had James Cleverly's tightening up of the rules. And still they're not satisfied. What the hell do they want?

They'll never be happy until immigration to the UK is cut to ridiculously low levels, I suspect. Of course other countries will doubtless respond in kind, and we'd be taken off any elevated-privileges lists that may exist, I suspect.

For just about everyone I know, immigration is a minor issue, and the only immigration-related complaint is that EU immigration is harder than it was. Other issues are far more important, i.e., the cost of living, job insecurity, and public services.

 

[Andyh82]

Labour have lost Bradford to no overall control. Reform are now the largest party, with the Tories in second place, in Bradford of all places. Whatever next.

 

[nw1]

Labour have lost Bradford to no overall control. Reform are now the largest party, with the Tories in second place, in Bradford of all places. Whatever next.

It's time to see this as a major national crisis. Reform need to be stopped by all legal/ethical means: it will be a catastrophe if they win in 2029.

The other parties, Labour, Lib Dems, Greens and Tories amongst others, need to work together to stop them getting in, by encouraging tactical voting and stepping aside in certain constituencies.

Bradford considerably more right-wing than Surrey. I never thought I'd live to see the day.

 

[thenorthern]

On 30% of the vote. To be quite honest, it's time the anti-immigrationists stop their constant complaining. It seems they will never be happy. They got their beloved Brexit, and still they weren't happy. They had James Cleverly's tightening up of the rules. And still they're not satisfied. What the hell do they want?

They'll never be happy until immigration to the UK is cut to ridiculously low levels, I suspect. Of course other countries will doubtless respond in kind, and we'd be taken off any elevated-privileges lists that may exist, I suspect.

For just about everyone I know, immigration is a minor issue, and the only immigration-related complaint is that EU immigration is harder than it was. Other issues are far more important, i.e., the cost of living, job insecurity, and public services.

I think what voters see as the negative effects of migration is causing a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment. With many people it's not high rates of arrivals that causes this it's high rates of change.

First I should say I am not saying this is right or wrong but it's things like going to a Christmas Market and seeing concrete anti-terrorism barriers. Also there is no question that the rape gang scandal has undoubtedly caused concerns about immigration. Immigration and people's concerns about it is an issues we have to face up to.

Last year I remember Reform UK had a flagship policy that councils they run would only display the United Kingdom, England or local flag. Relaistically this is a very minor policy that does not affect how a council is run. Whenever I have been to council offices I haven't noticed if there is a flag up. However with councils arguing about flying the Israel and Palestine flag, which version of the pride flag to fly or flying the India or Pakistan flag sometimes causing sectarian arguments it's very difficult to disagree with Reform's policy.

and both got votes from people who are unable to vote for Labour's pro-Israel and dismayed by the reversal of climate-friendly policies

Nobody cares about the risk of another Lockerbie or Twin Towers then? Are we really as thick or uneducated as most in the USA who apparently can't even recognise the outline of their own state, let alone the country?

To whoever it was who said that the Gazans brought it on themselves I would point out that Israeli intelligence seems to know exactly where all their opponents' important people are all in all the countries all round them all the time. The Guardian had an article saying a female observer corps who had been reporting practise assaults and incursions for months had been ignored... draw your own conclusions.

Also although I can't find it now https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/30/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-attack-intelligence.html


says exactly the same thing.
You can't possibly imagine that the people suffering there now from the miltary assaults and refusal to allow aid in had any idea at all of what was being planned?

My point was that international issues are largely irrelevant to most voters, especially those we don't control. I include the situation in Gaza with that. While it's an issue to some voters to most voters the situation in Gaza and the British Government's response to it is not a major issue.

One of the reasons I think Ed Davey has now peaked is his stance on Donald Trump. He doesn't like Donald Trump which is a very common view in the United Kingdom. The problem for him is tweeting about Trump and mentioning Trump at Westminster doesn't do anything for ordinary voters. It doesn't give us more GP appointments, it doesn't build more schools and it doesn't fix potholes.

 

[nw1]

One of the reasons I think Ed Davey has now peaked is his stance on Donald Trump. He doesn't like Donald Trump which is a very common view in the United Kingdom. The problem for him is tweeting about Trump and mentioning Trump at Westminster doesn't do anything for ordinary voters. It doesn't give us more GP appointments, it doesn't build more schools and it doesn't fix potholes.

I'm not sure the Lib Dems are especially declining, it's more a case that they are concentrating their efforts in winnable areas. Look how well they did in west Surrey, for example - solid Tory territory up until very recently. Their new-found popularity in places like Surrey will be not insignificant in influencing the outcome of the next election, I suspect. Boris wouldn't have won in 2019 without Tory wins in Surrey, Wokingham, Oxfordshire and the like.

The Lib Dems are the obvious choice, for example, if you are socially liberal and economically centrist or even slightly centre-right, unless your MP is a One Nation Tory (and why the Tories are misguided with their right-wing trend under Badenoch).

My ward (not in Surrey) is a Tory-to-Lib Dem swing ward as it happens, and they have maintained their healthy lead, with the Tories still in 2nd place.

 

[Snow1964]

Final English declarations now in (except couple of wards)

Labour down 1494 councillors, won just 1067. (Lost about 58%)
Conservative down 563, won 803
Reform up 1451, won 1453
Lib Dem up 155, won 844
Green up 439, won 585
independent and others up 34, won 212

So Labour lost over half the seats they were defending,
and Reform got nearly 1500 which was near top of predictions

 

[nw1]

Final English declarations now in (except couple of wards)

Labour down 1494 councillors, won just 1067. (Lost about 58%)
Conservative down 563, won 803
Reform up 1451, won 1453
Lib Dem up 155, won 844
Green up 439, won 585
independent and others up 34, won 212

So Labour lost over half the seats they were defending,
and Reform got nearly 1500 which was near top of predictions

Do we have the actual percentages, especially compared to last year? Seats are one thing, but Reform on 30% is a hell of a lot less bad than 40%.

Last time I looked, Reform were on a slow downward trend from around a year ago. This is why these results have surprised and shocked me. I had hoped the UK was starting to lose its love affair with hard-right politics with recent Green wins, along with fear of us going like the US has gone under Trump.

So it is a very depressing set of results on seats alone. By that measure, we don't seem to have moved on one centimetre from this time last year, though as I said the actual percentages would be interesting to see.

 

[cactustwirly]

I'm not sure the Lib Dems are especially declining, it's more a case that they are concentrating their efforts in winnable areas. Look how well they did in west Surrey, for example - solid Tory territory up until very recently. Their new-found popularity in places like Surrey will be not insignificant in influencing the outcome of the next election, I suspect. Boris wouldn't have won in 2019 without Tory wins in Surrey, Wokingham, Oxfordshire and the like.

The Lib Dems are the obvious choice, for example, if you are socially liberal and economically centrist or even slightly centre-right, unless your MP is a One Nation Tory (and why the Tories are misguided with their right-wing trend under Badenoch).

My ward (not in Surrey) is a Tory-to-Lib Dem swing ward as it happens, and they have maintained their healthy lead, with the Tories still in 2nd place.

This is why I think Reform actually winning in 2019 is unlikely, the right is split between Lib Dem and Reform. Ie what would normally be One Nation and ERG Tory.

However they are gaining seats from Labour in very Labour areas like Wakefield, Wigan etc.
We will probably have a horrific hung parliament situation between Reform, Tories, LD, Labour and Greens with no one close enough to win a majority

 

[AndrewE]

This is why I think Reform actually winning in 2019 is unlikely, the right is split between Lib Dem and Reform. Ie what would normally be One Nation and ERG Tory.

Will the Tory right ever vote LD? I would expect them to just stay at home.

However they are gaining seats from Labour in very Labour areas like Wakefield, Wigan etc.
We will probably have a horrific hung parliament situation between Reform, Tories, LD, Labour and Greens with no one close enough to win a majority

Maybe, but I am cheered up by

They [Labour?] didn’t even have any candidates on the ballot for my area of the new East Surrey Council. Don’t recall ever having them missing completely. Was probably a good thing, as we ended up with 1 x Reform & 1 x Lib Dem. The other Reform candidate wasn’t far behind, so I’d expect as least some of the usual Labour voters (They usually got a couple hundred votes)would have voted LD.

which suggests that sensible people are cooperating to reduce the gains by the far right.
And if we can get PR in some form (or Single Transferable Vote) too then all parties will have to start compromising their extreme positions and make alliances. Can't come soon enough for me.

 

[The Ham]

This is why I think Reform actually winning in 2019 is unlikely, the right is split between Lib Dem and Reform. Ie what would normally be One Nation and ERG Tory.

However they are gaining seats from Labour in very Labour areas like Wakefield, Wigan etc.
We will probably have a horrific hung parliament situation between Reform, Tories, LD, Labour and Greens with no one close enough to win a majority

As I highlighted earlier, that Reform didn't do at all well in Scotland.

Yes they don't quite make up 9% of MP's, however at slightly more than 50, that's quite a chunk of English (as Wales is, based on current results, is somewhere between the two and so may not provide many from their 30 odd MP's) MP's.

That's quite a big ask, and perhaps something which
Reform haven't been highlighting (for obvious reasons).

 

[Snow1964]

Do we have the actual percentages, especially compared to last year? Seats are one thing, but Reform on 30% is a hell of a lot less bad than 40%.

National equivalent is :
Reform 27.1%
Labour 19.0%
Conservative 18.4%
Green 15.1%
Lib Dem 11.6%

 

[nw1]

National equivalent is :
Reform 27.1%
Labour 19.0%
Conservative 18.4%
Green 15.1%
Lib Dem 11.6%

Thanks. 27.1% then, so not quite as big a disaster as it looks.

 

[AndrewE]

National equivalent is :
Reform 27.1%
Labour 19.0%
Conservative 18.4%
Green 15.1%
Lib Dem 11.6%

Thanks. 27.1% then, so not quite as big a disaster as it looks.

except that first past the post distorts the final outcome dreadfully...

 

[Purple Train]

Thanks. 27.1% then, so not quite as big a disaster as it looks.

Roughly the same as UKIP won in the European Parliament elections in 2014 - and they still didn't win any seats in the general election the following year, if that comforts you Plus it's not as if this reflects polling of the country as a whole, considering all the areas that weren't up for re-election.

The biggest surprise for me is how low the Greens polled, although the same caveat applies. Though I guess it does mean a lower vote for populist parties, which is no bad thing on the whole (much as it pains me to say it given I quite like Polanski).

 

[Snow1964]

Thanks. 27.1% then, so not quite as big a disaster as it looks.

Depending on which political commentary you read, seems Reform are dropping about 1% every couple of months, having peaked last Autumn

 

[cactustwirly]

Will the Tory right ever vote LD? I would expect them to just stay at home.

Maybe, but I am cheered up by

which suggests that sensible people are cooperating to reduce the gains by the far right.
And if we can get PR in some form (or Single Transferable Vote) too then all parties will have to start compromising their extreme positions and make alliances. Can't come soon enough for me.

No but what would be the left of the Tories is voting Lib Dem

 

[317 forever]

Indeed, I've never voted Tory in my life but the one time I would do is if it was a straight choice between them and Reform.
It seems your neighbourhood alone managed to keep them out!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==



It does seem to be the case that the kind of places that go for Reform are those which, in Parliament, were Tory pre-1997, then Labour 1997-2010, then Tory 2010-2024, then Labour again since 2024 - irrespective of the part of the country or demographic make-up.

In other words, what have typically been Tory/Labour swing seats.

Exceptions are areas that may match those criteria and voted Remain.

Reform had little success in areas that voted Remain or have recently been successful for the Liberal Democrats. So, relatively little success in the South - or in Scotland where they only got in due to proportional representation, assisted to no small degree by voter defections from the Tories.