Labour lose control of Swindon Borough Council after 2026 local elections
No party won enough seats to take overall control of the council
Last updated 8th May 2026
Labour have lost control of Swindon Borough Council after the 2026 local elections with no party winning enough seats to secure overall control.
All 57 council seats were up for grabs for the first time since 2012 with the count taking place at the Steam Museum in Swindon.
The Conservative Party emerged as the largest party on the council winning 23 seats but fell six seats short of the 29 needed to achieve overall control.
Labour secured 19 seats, while Reform UK made significant gains with 14 councillors elected.
The Labour Party had entered the election as the controlling administration, holding 34 seats but ended up losing 15 councillors.
Several previously Labour-held wards fell to Reform UK, including Rodbourne Cheney, Penhill and Pinehurst, and Upper Stratton, areas where Labour had previously performed strongly.
The Liberal Democrats won one seat, while the Green Party failed to secure representation.
Today's result (8th May) will determine the political composition of the council for the next four years and with no party holding a majority discussions will now take place over leadership and the future governance of the council.
Swindon Borough Council have said the election of the Leader of the Council, the appointment of Cabinet Members, portfolio responsibilities and Committee memberships, will be confirmed at the Annual Council Meeting on Friday, 22 May 2026.
Sam Mowbray, Swindon Borough Council’s Returning Officer, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the candidates who were elected to represent residents on Swindon Borough Council over the next four years.
"This was the first time in 14 years that all seats on the Council were up for election. I would like to thank the Council’s elections team and colleagues who worked at polling stations and today’s count to ensure the election ran as smoothly as possible.
“As no party has secured overall control of the Council, the political groups will now begin formal discussions on future governance arrangements. These will be agreed and confirmed through the Council’s established decision‑making processes. Council services continue as normal following a no overall control election result. The senior leadership team and I will support this process by advising on constitutional, legal and procedural matters as required.”