2026 Local Elections Thread

[GusB]

Many voters in England outside the metropolitan areas have elections for a council or two councils in some cases that will be abolished on 1 April 2028 to be replaced by new unitary councils to be elected next year. I wonder how many will bother to vote when they know the council or councils will be abolished in less than two years. Whoever is elected will not be able to do anything interesting. Their job will be to close the council down.

Ah, but... Not holding those pointless elections (at great expense) would be an attack on democracy and the sky will fall in. I honestly don't see the problem with allowing existing councillors (weren't they democratically elected in the first place?) to hold onto their seats for a while longer.

 

[317 forever]

Ah, but... Not holding those pointless elections (at great expense) would be an attack on democracy and the sky will fall in. I honestly don't see the problem with allowing existing councillors (weren't they democratically elected in the first place?) to hold onto their seats for a while longer.

That may depend on how much longer this would be, and more importantly how long they would have been in without facing re-election.

 

[weeklycommuter]

That may depend on how much longer this would be, and more importantly how long they would have been in without facing re-election.

In Surrey the reorganisation was decided in time for the two new unitary councils to be elected on 7 May 2026 to take over on 1 April 2027.

It would have been better if this had also been done for the other so called priority areas which are Hampshire, Sussex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex where the County Council elections were also postponed last year. Instead they have the same timeline as all the other areas which are being reorganised into new unitary authorities which is election of the new unitary councils on 6 May 2027 to take over on 1 April 2028.

As a result of this dither and delay many of the two tier parts of Hampshire, Sussex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have elections on 7 May 2026 for both county and district councils both of which will be abolished on 1 April 2028.

 

[317 forever]

In Surrey the reorganisation was decided in time for the two new unitary councils to be elected on 7 May 2026 to take over on 1 April 2027.

It would have been better if this had also been done for the other so called priority areas which are Hampshire, Sussex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex where the County Council elections were also postponed last year. Instead they have the same timeline as all the other areas which are being reorganised into new unitary authorities which is election of the new unitary councils on 6 May 2027 to take over on 1 April 2028.

As a result of this dither and delay many of the two tier parts of Hampshire, Sussex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have elections on 7 May 2026 for both county and district councils both of which will be abolished on 1 April 2028.

So, in those cases they may as well have had the elections last year after all, spreading out the lengths of their terms more evenly.

 

[Jon_jpwh]

Where I live I appear to be near the border with the next council ward. I received a leaflet from the Green candidate in a different ward so I emailed them and they apologised. I then received a leaflet from the correct Green candidate for my ward. Yesterday I received a leaflet from the Conservative candidate, again not mine as they are standing in the next ward. Nothing received from Reform and there isn't a Lib Dem candidate.

 

[Trackman]

Where I live I appear to be near the border with the next council ward. I received a leaflet from the Green candidate in a different ward so I emailed them and they apologised. I then received a leaflet from the correct Green candidate for my ward. Yesterday I received a leaflet from the Conservative candidate, again not mine as they are standing in the next ward. Nothing received from Reform and there isn't a Lib Dem candidate.

I usually receive a flyer or whatever from the Greens but nothing this year. Same with Labour as well as they think it's a foregone conclusion - we'll wait and see.

 

[Kite159]

The only candidate for the council here whom sent flyers was from Reform

 

[gg1]

Just Labour and Reform here in what's historically a safe Tory ward.

 

[Trackman]

The only candidate for the council here whom sent flyers was from Reform

Just Labour and Reform here in what's historically a safe Tory ward.

I'm really surprised I haven't received any Reform blurb, but have one from Tories who have as much chance of the full MS&W Woodhead route re-opening next year. Nothing from Lib Dems either.

 

[Ken X]

Popped round to vote at around 20:00 and our polling station is heaving. Quite a reasonable queue outside.

Normally we amble in and out with no bother. Looks like it's generated plenty of local interest which is interesting. Looking forward to seeing how it plays out and the percentages voting.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Popped round to vote at around 20:00 and our polling station is heaving. Quite a reasonable queue outside.

Normally we amble in and out with no bother. Looks like it's generated plenty of local interest which is interesting. Looking forward to seeing how it plays out and the percentages voting.

I had a busy day and voted in the Scottish Parliament election at about half past nine tonight. I asked the lady working there how it had been, she said it had been mobbed and queued out at points. I had to actually force my ballot papers into the boxes, they were so full. I wonder how that will affect the result.

 

[johntea]

My mother commented earlier she usually isn't that bothered about the local elections but is so disillusioned (for use of a family friendly word!) with Labour she was much more interested this time round to have her voice heard!

The BBC having to fill a lot of air time mainly with politicians bickering with each other considering a lot of results won't be in overnight

Reform have first blood it seems, early days of course!

 

[MP33]

Watching the scenes at various counts. To stand for Reform, you have to pass the weigh in.

 

[brad465]

My mother commented earlier she usually isn't that bothered about the local elections but is so disillusioned (for use of a family friendly word!) with Labour she was much more interested this time round to have her voice heard!

The BBC having to fill a lot of air time mainly with politicians bickering with each other considering a lot of results won't be in overnight

Reform have first blood it seems, early days of course!

I think these elections are occurring at a time where a cocktail of problems are culminating together: it's not just Labour not appearing to do well, but social media algorithms controlled by entities who have never agreed with Labour ideology, along with 24 hour news' cycles demanding constant clickbait, and the combined effects of austerity and post-covid economic troubles materialising, effects which took a long time to fully manifest. Starmer is one of the most boring politicians going, yet has managed to receive a tonne of strong hatred towards him like what your mother is probably thinking, something that would not have happened pre-social media and fast-paced digital news, all else being equal (I'm not suggesting he'd be polling brilliantly in this situation, but the strong reactions and negative approvals would not be happening).

Labour's main mistake has been poor comms, especially an inability to control the narrative in the modern media age, but I think even the best PM and cabinet that could ever be created, in terms of competence for running the country, would still struggle with the current level of division stoking and narrative pushing against them.

Something else I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of in these elections is sectarian voting: for all the faults of Labour and the Tories, at least they have even in this decade mainly been a broad church. Reform UK and the current Greens, along with some independents, have really promoted policy positions on sectarian lines, helped again by social media algorithms. A decent chunk of their vote could easily be voting trying to stop the other religious/sectarian ideology taking over. However, as Northern Ireland has long shown, once sectarianism takes hold, it is very hard to eliminate, because if one government tries to intervene that will inflame attitudes even more. This will require a cross-party united front to sort out, along with media reforms to stop them fanning it for their own gain. However, we are a long way from such an environment existing (Proportional Representation would be the biggest step to reducing confrontational politics).

 

[styles]

I think these elections are occurring at a time where a cocktail of problems are culminating together:

Speaking of cocktails, Reform are having a watch party:


(Image shows a cocktail list poster containing cocktails such as Rachel Reeves Rita, the Kemi Bounce Bellini, and Nigel Negroni)

 

[The Ham]

(EDIT: to be clear on forum rules; this is my analysis of the vote locally and isn't referring to any external sources, whilst it give high level numbers these are to highlight some key points and are probably of wider relevance than whichever actual area is in question)

We've had our results, no major change at District level. Compared with the last time there was a county election turn out is up 6% points (47% up from 41%)

County election results yet to be done, however likely to stay as the party for the incumbent (although they stood down and a new candidate is taking their place) based on the District votes.

Across the District there's a lot of Tory 2nd / Reform 3rd but with enough that if there wasn't that split (and they sided with each other) that they'd have won against the winners (many of which are resident groups).

For example a combined vote count for Tory/Reform is 40% higher than the winning candidate for my District Councillor and has around 51% of the total votes.

Labour always does badly and often was in last place and in some didn't even put forward a candidate but they were down 80% compared with last time - but then were the only party not to send us any literature.

Greens got more than Labour did last time, just, but with a significantly higher turn out technically preformed worse this time around rather than last time.

I suspect that tactical voting harmed both of them.

 

[Snow1964]

Early indications seem to show Reform doing well in areas that voted for Brexit 10 years ago, currently gained 312 seats.

But Reform not making much impact in remain (in Brexit vote) areas. Many London seats where Remain had large majority are not seeing much Reform gain.

Lib Dems appear to be doing well in southern England, including SW London, although not many Councils up for election in this area.

Although lots of results still to come, so might change.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It might just be of local interest to those in the Stockport Council area, but once again, despite Reform standing for the first time, the Heald Green ward once again returned the Ratepayers candidate as the elected member. That party is very much involved in all matters local to the area.

 

[The Ham]

Early indications seem to show Reform doing well in areas that voted for Brexit 10 years ago, currently gained 312 seats.

But Reform not making much impact in remain (in Brexit vote) areas. Many London seats where Remain had large majority are not seeing much Reform gain.

Lib Dems appear to be doing well in southern England, including SW London, although not many Councils up for election in this area.

Although lots of results still to come, so might change.

Whilst Reform have (currently, and again very early days) got a lot of seats that's not resulted in many change of control to them (one at the time of writing).

It's mostly split the votes, and so if they work in partnership with the Tories could gain control of a few, in others there's still a Labour/Green/Lib Dems group which can still keep Reform from some form of control.

 

[martin butler]

Here in Hastings, greens look to be doing well, in many seats it's a straight Reform- Green choice, Labour and Conservative nowhere to be seen

Where I am, St Leonard's central, elected a green councilor last time, and she has been very good, she's local, well known and has been active.

 

[Class 317]

Early indications seem to show Reform doing well in areas that voted for Brexit 10 years ago, currently gained 312 seats.

But Reform not making much impact in remain (in Brexit vote) areas. Many London seats where Remain had large majority are not seeing much Reform gain.

Lib Dems appear to be doing well in southern England, including SW London, although not many Councils up for election in this area.

Although lots of results still to come, so might change.

Harlow which was a reform target will be very disappointing for them. Only 1 councillor elected. Tories gained 5 seats from labour. A very interesting result for a heavily pro Brexit area.

 

[The Ham]

Whilst Reform have (currently, and again very early days) got a lot of seats that's not resulted in many change of control to them (one at the time of writing).

It's mostly split the votes, and so if they work in partnership with the Tories could gain control of a few, in others there's still a Labour/Green/Lib Dems group which can still keep Reform from some form of control.

For example the Labour loss of Tamworth, Labour lost 2 seats, Tories lost 6, Reform gain 9, however Labour only need one vote from the Greens one councillor (or just one non vote from any other party) to tie and so as long as they chair will get the deciding vote and win.

 

[deltic]

Labour vote seems to have held up more than expected in London so far, or at least the opposition is so fractured that they are retaining seats, eg held Merton which was a key Lib Dem target and while loosing Wandsworth that has gone to no overall control rather than to the Tories. While the Greens havent made made the inroads expected, lost all their seats in Richmond to the Lib Dems. But early days.

Having written that I see Labour have just lost Westminster to the Tories

 

[SuspectUsual]

Whilst Reform have (currently, and again very early days) got a lot of seats that's not resulted in many change of control to them (one at the time of writing).

It's mostly split the votes, and so if they work in partnership with the Tories could gain control of a few, in others there's still a Labour/Green/Lib Dems group which can still keep Reform from some form of control.

Is it not more because generally only a third of seats are up for reelection this year, rather than Reform splitting the vote?

I think gaining a lot of seats but not gaining many councils will be perfect for them - another year of look at us were so popular with the electorate without the responsibility of having to deliver services

 

[Andyh82]

Labour vote seems to have held up more than expected in London so far, or at least the opposition is so fractured that they are retaining seats, eg held Merton which was a key Lib Dem target and while loosing Wandsworth that has gone to no overall control rather than to the Tories. While the Greens havent made made the inroads expected, lost all their seats in Richmond to the Lib Dems. But early days.

Having written that I see Labour have just lost Westminster to the Tories

I believe Labour only won Westminster council due to the fall in Conservative voters after the Johnson ‘Partygate’ business, so it’s just a resetting back to normal really


Some areas such as Wigan are interesting. Labour have lost all their seats that were up for election, but due to the council electing in thirds, still control the council as they had such a large majority. Some other northern areas such as Bradford are an all out election, so Labour might not be saved in these sorts of areas.

 

[THC]

Harlow which was a reform target will be very disappointing for them. Only 1 councillor elected. Tories gained 5 seats from labour. A very interesting result for a heavily pro Brexit area.

Not that surprising. Dan Swords, the council leader, has a high profile locally on the back of attracting regeneration funding and inward investment to Harlow. Reform's anti-immigration schtick might land well with the hard-of-thinking but it's no substitute for a track record of actual delivery. And no, I'm not a Tory, but credit where it is due; Swords has done a good job for the town and people voted accordingly.

THC

 

[styles]

I wonder if the Westminster result means pedestrianisation of Oxford Street is back off the table.

 

[PGAT]

I wonder if the Westminster result means pedestrianisation of Oxford Street is back off the table.

I think it’s too far advanced to stop now. Isn’t it meant to be happening in the summer?

 

[Dr Day]

Nothing to do with results, but find it interesting that in Wales counting is only just about to start, rather than taking place overnight immediately after polls close.

Means the counters are less likely to be tired and make mistakes, and more people can follow the results potentially leading to greater engagement. But there is something about election night that I would miss if this approach was taken in UK general elections.

 

[deltic]

Nothing to do with results, but find it interesting that in Wales counting is only just about to start, rather than taking place overnight immediately after polls close.

Means the counters are less likely to be tired and make mistakes, and more people can follow the results potentially leading to greater engagement. But there is something about election night that I would miss if this approach was taken in UK general elections.

I have never understood why everything is still done by hand, machine counters and optical scanners have been around for decades. Multi-candidate seats where people are voting for different parties are a nightmare to count and generate a not inconsiderable number of errors as anyone who has watched a count will testify. The amount of recounting and checking that goes on and the number of people employed to do it is considerable.