England’s 2026 local elections are delivering one of the most dramatic political shake-ups in recent years. Voters across London boroughs, metropolitan councils, county councils, and mayoral races headed to polling stations on May 7, with counting continuing through Friday and into Saturday in several areas. Early declarations show major gains for Reform UK, losses for Labour in key strongholds, pressure on the Conservatives, and strong performances by the Liberal Democrats and Greens in selected regions.
This live coverage page tracks the latest election results around England, including council control changes, turnout figures, party performance, mayoral races, and reactions from national political leaders.
England Election Results 2026: Key Headlines
- Reform UK has made major gains in northern England, Essex, Kent, and parts of outer London.
- Labour has lost hundreds of council seats in areas once considered safe territory.
- Conservatives suffered setbacks but managed to hold or regain some boroughs including Westminster and Bexley.
- Liberal Democrats strengthened their position in several southern and suburban councils.
- Green Party support increased, especially in urban and university-heavy districts.
- Turnout rose in multiple regions compared with previous local elections.
What Happened in the 2026 England Local Elections?
More than 5,000 council seats across 136 English local authorities were contested during the 2026 elections, making it one of the largest rounds of local voting in recent history. Elections took place in:
- London borough councils
- Metropolitan boroughs
- County councils
- District councils
- Directly elected mayoralties
The elections are widely viewed as a national test for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and opposition leader Nigel Farage ahead of the next general election.
Live Updates From Around England
Reform UK Surge Across England
One of the biggest stories of election night has been the rapid rise of Reform UK.
The party gained hundreds of council seats and took control in several areas previously dominated by Labour or the Conservatives. Analysts say Reform performed especially well in Brexit-supporting regions and among voters frustrated with the traditional two-party system.
Political experts described the result as a “historic shift” in British politics as Reform expanded beyond protest-vote territory into mainstream local government influence.
Areas Showing Strong Reform UK Performance
- Hartlepool
- Tameside
- Wigan
- Havering
- Essex districts
- Staffordshire councils
- Kent authorities
In several contests, Reform candidates defeated long-established Labour councillors in traditional northern heartlands.
Labour Faces Heavy Losses
The Labour Party entered the elections defending many councils won during previous cycles. However, early results showed substantial setbacks.
Labour lost control of several councils and suffered sharp drops in vote share in parts of northern England and London suburbs.
Criticism inside the party intensified as some MPs questioned the government’s direction following disappointing local results.
Despite the losses, Labour still retained control in several urban councils and continued to dominate some inner-city areas.
Conservatives Attempt Recovery
The Conservative Party also experienced losses in multiple authorities, but there were signs of resilience in a few boroughs.
The party managed to regain or defend councils including:
- Westminster
- Wandsworth
- Bexley
These victories were seen as important symbolic wins for Conservative organizers attempting to rebuild support after recent national challenges.
Liberal Democrats and Greens Gain Ground
The Liberal Democrats made notable progress in suburban and southern councils, particularly in areas where voters sought alternatives to Labour and the Conservatives.
Meanwhile, the Green Party improved its vote share in university towns and environmentally focused constituencies. In some boroughs, Greens converted growing support into actual council seats.
London Election Results Live
London became one of the major battlegrounds of the 2026 local elections.
Westminster and Wandsworth
Labour lost control of both Westminster and Wandsworth according to early declarations, marking a major setback for the party in the capital.
These councils carry symbolic importance because of their long-standing political significance in London governance.
Bexley Election Results
The Conservatives managed to maintain influence in Bexley despite pressure from Reform UK challengers. Reform also made noticeable gains in several wards.
Latest Bexley Snapshot
- Conservative seats remained competitive
- Reform UK increased representation
- Labour struggled to expand support
Turnout in Bexley reportedly exceeded 45%, higher than previous local election cycles.
Ealing Election Results
In Ealing, Labour retained council control but lost a significant number of seats. The Liberal Democrats and Greens improved their representation.
The Green Party secured several breakthroughs in wards where environmental and housing issues dominated local campaigning.
Barnet Election Results
Barnet remained highly competitive throughout counting. Labour entered the election defending a large majority while Conservatives and Reform attempted to gain momentum.
Counting in several wards continued late into Friday evening.
Mayoral Elections Across England
Several directly elected mayor contests drew national attention.
Tower Hamlets Mayor Election
The Tower Hamlets mayoral race remained tightly contested with multiple parties competing strongly throughout counting.
Key campaign themes included:
- Housing affordability
- Community policing
- Local regeneration
- Public services
Lewisham Mayor Election
Labour faced pressure from Greens and independents in Lewisham, where turnout and younger voter participation became important factors.
Newham Mayor Election
Newham’s contest was closely watched due to demographic shifts and growing multi-party competition. Labour defended the mayoralty amid strong campaigning from Reform UK and Green candidates.
Turnout Figures Across England
One of the most important trends in the 2026 local elections has been rising voter participation.
Several councils reported turnout increases compared with previous years. Analysts suggest that public dissatisfaction with national politics encouraged more voters to participate.
Reported Turnout Highlights
| Area | Approximate Turnout |
| Bexley | 45.7% |
| Merton | 45.15% |
| National trend | Around 31%–45% |
Higher turnout often signals stronger voter engagement and can produce unexpected results in local contests.
Why These Elections Matter
Although local elections focus on councils and local services, they are often treated as indicators of national political mood.
These elections influence:
- Housing policies
- Road and transport projects
- Local taxes
- Planning permissions
- Waste collection
- Social services
- Education funding
They also help political parties test campaign strategies before general elections.
The 2026 results suggest England’s political landscape is becoming increasingly fragmented, with voters moving away from traditional two-party dominance.
Political Reactions After the Results
Keir Starmer Responds
Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged voter frustration but insisted he would continue leading the government.
He argued that voters wanted faster delivery on economic growth, public services, and national reforms.
Nigel Farage Celebrates Reform Gains
Nigel Farage described the election as a turning point in British politics after Reform UK recorded major breakthroughs across England.
Party officials said the results demonstrated growing support outside traditional Conservative and Labour strongholds.
Liberal Democrat and Green Leaders React
Liberal Democrat and Green Party representatives highlighted gains in suburban and environmentally conscious communities.
Both parties argued that voters increasingly want alternatives to Westminster’s traditional political structure.
England Election Results by Region
North England
Northern England delivered some of the biggest surprises of election night.
Key Trends
- Labour losses in former industrial towns
- Reform UK gains in working-class districts
- Green growth in urban centres
Hartlepool and Tameside became major talking points after Reform victories.
South England
Southern England saw strong Liberal Democrat performances alongside Conservative resilience in selected councils.
Some affluent suburban voters shifted toward smaller parties amid dissatisfaction with national politics.
London
London remained politically divided.
- Inner boroughs generally stayed Labour-friendly
- Outer boroughs showed stronger Conservative and Reform support
- Greens increased influence in progressive wards
What Analysts Are Saying
Election experts believe the 2026 local elections may represent the beginning of a longer-term political realignment in England.
According to analysts:
- Multi-party politics is accelerating
- Traditional party loyalty is weakening
- Local issues increasingly influence voting decisions
- Reform UK’s rise could reshape future national elections
Some observers compared the political atmosphere to earlier periods of major electoral transition in British politics.
Timeline of Election Night
Thursday, May 7
- Polling stations opened at 7am
- Voting continued until 10pm
- Ballot boxes transported to counting centres
Friday, May 8
- Counting began across England
- Early council declarations released
- Major party gains and losses emerged
Saturday, May 9
- Remaining councils expected to declare
- Final mayoral outcomes confirmed
- National political analysis continues
How Local Election Counting Works
Local election counts usually begin overnight or early the next morning after polling closes.
The process includes:
- Verification of ballot boxes
- Sorting ballots by ward
- Candidate vote counting
- Recounts where margins are close
- Official declaration of results
Large metropolitan councils often take longer to declare because of the number of wards and candidates.
Biggest Election Surprises So Far
Reform UK’s London Progress
Perhaps the most surprising development has been Reform UK’s performance in outer London boroughs.
Labour’s Northern Difficulties
Labour losses in historic strongholds shocked many political observers.
Green Party Breakthroughs
Greens achieved stronger representation in multiple urban councils.
Live Election Results Resources
Readers following the latest council declarations can also monitor official reporting platforms and live election maps.
Final Analysis
The 2026 England local elections may become remembered as one of the most consequential local voting cycles in modern British politics.
The results reveal:
- Growing dissatisfaction with traditional parties
- Increased support for smaller and emerging parties
- Stronger voter turnout and engagement
- Regional political fragmentation
- Rising pressure on national party leaderships
As counting continues across England, the full political consequences will become clearer. However, early results already suggest that Britain’s political landscape is entering a new and highly competitive era.