Labour lose control of Swindon Borough Council as Conservatives become largest party

No party in Swindon will have overall control of the borough council but Tories become largest party with 23 seats.

The Labour party, who have run the borough council since 2023, needed 29 seats to win overall control of the council but only won 19 seats by the end of a tense day.

The perceived threat from Reform UK was seen off with the new party becoming the third largest party at the council with 14 seats.

The Liberal Democrats managed to keep their one seat and The Green Party did not win any seats.

It is expected that with no party in overall control, the council will now have to be run by a mutual 'arrangement' between The Conservative group and The Labour group.

Swindon Reform UK leader Sara Godwin said of her party's performance: "We certainly split things up a bit!

"I think it says a lot. People are obviously thinking about what they want, but it's quite a challenging time."

Asked what she believed her party's results said about people's attitudes to what was hitherto deemed mainstream politics, she said: "I think it says that people want change - I think it sends a clear message that they are not happy with the way things are bring run currently.

"I just hope people will start to work together a bit more."

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.”