The 2026 local elections have delivered a seismic shift in English local government — confirming a dramatic surge for Reform UK and the Greens and heavy losses for both Labour and the Conservatives.
Labour has suffered the heaviest losses, shedding 1,496 councillors and 38 councils, while the Conservatives have also declined, losing 563 councillors and six councils.
The Liberal Democrats are recording modest gains, adding 155 councillors and taking control of one additional council.
The standout story, however, is Reform UK's dramatic breakthrough. The party has gained 1,451 councillors — taking its total to 1,453 — and seized control of 14 councils, having held none previously.
The Greens are also making incremental progress, adding 441 councillors. Meanwhile, 64 councils are currently under no overall control, up 23 on previous results.
As for the mayoral elections, the Conservatives retained Croydon while the Greens took Hackney and Lewisham. Labour and Aspire retained Newham and Tower Hamlets respectively, and the Liberal Democrats held Watford.
Check out: Local Elections: What voters really want from their councils
