Local Council By-Elections May 2026

This month saw 168,788 votes cast in 57 local authority contests. All percentages are rounded to the nearest single decimal place. 31 council seats changed hands. For comparison with April's results, see here. Party Number of Candidates Total Vote % +/- Apr +/- May 25 Avge/ Contest +/- Seats Conservative 55 31,741 18.8% +2.1 -0.8 577 -2 Labour 46 20,056 11.9% +0.7 -4.8 436 -10 Lib Dem 51 34,190 20.3% +10.6 -2.3 670 0 Reform 57 47,699 28.3% -5.9 +5.2 837 +15 Green 55 27,140 16.1% -8.8 +5.4 493 -1 SNP* 0 0 PC** 2 472 0.3% +0.3 +0.2 236 0 Ind*** 15 6,560 3.9% +1.6 -0.5 437 -2 Other**** 3 930 0.6% -0.4 -1.6 310 0 * There were no by-elections in Scotland ** There were three by-elections in Wales *** There were two Independent clashes **** Others this month were Great Yarmouth First (866), SDP (49), TUSC (15) With 52 council by-elections taking place on the same day as the English local elections, the pattern of results were likely to be similar. Reform the clear winners, and not great…