No party has won enough seats to take control of Swindon Borough Council following Thursday’s (7 May) local elections.
All 57 council seats were contested for the first time since 2012, with the results determining the political composition of the council for the next four years. The Conservative Party saw 23 councillors elected, with Labour securing 19 seats, Reform UK 14 and the Liberal Democrats one.
With no party winning a majority of council seats (29 seats or more), the result means no party is in overall control of the council.
In the coming days, councillors will discuss the council’s future governance arrangements in line with the Council’s Constitution. 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.
The full results from today’s count, which was held at the council-owned STEAM Museum, can be found on the Council’s website.
Turnout in Swindon was 43.7 per cent.
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.”
Questions and answers on no overall control election result
What does a ‘no overall control’ election result mean?
No party won a majority of seats (29 or more) to take control of the council which is known as a ‘no overall control’ result. This is an increasingly common situation in local government and many councils across England operate in this way.
What happens next?
In the coming days, councillors will discuss the council’s future governance arrangements in line with the Council’s Constitution. 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.
Who is in charge immediately following the election results?
The Leader of the Council in place prior to the election remains in office until the Annual Council meeting on 22 May, when future leadership arrangements are formally determined.
Could any council policies, services or priorities change immediately after the election?
No. Any changes to policy, services or priorities must follow the council’s standard formal governance processes, including Cabinet or committee decisions where relevant. Officers will continue providing professional advice and implementing decisions once they are formally agreed.
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