2026 Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council election
7 May 2026
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The 2026 Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council election will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026, alongside other local elections in the United Kingdom. All 54 members of Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council in West Yorkshire will be elected following boundary changes.
Background
Calderdale was created in 1974 as a metropolitan borough. The Conservatives held control until 1976, when the council fell into no overall control.[2] Labour formed their first majority in 1990 and remained the largest party until 1999.[3] The Conservatives last held a majority from 2000 to 2002; following over a decade of no overall control, Labour won a majority of seats in 2019 and have held control since.[4]
This election will be held on a new set of ward boundaries – as such, all seats will be up for election.[5] The number of thee-member wards has increased by one.
Council composition
| After 2024 election | Before 2026 election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Seats | Party | Seats | ||
| Labour | 29 | Labour | 27 | ||
| Conservative | 11 | Conservative | 8 | ||
| Liberal Democrats | 6 | Liberal Democrats | 6 | ||
| Green | 3 | Green | 3 | ||
| Reform UK | 0 | Reform UK | 3 | ||
| Workers Party | 1 | Workers Party | 1 | ||
| Independent | 1 | Independent | 1 | ||
| Vacant | N/A | Vacant | 2 | ||
Changes 2024–2026:
- September 2024: Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour) resigns – by-election held October 2024[6]
- October 2024: Jonathan Timbers (Labour) wins by-election[7]
- February 2025: Dan Sutherland (Labour) joins Reform[8]
- March 2025: Mike Barnes (Labour) resigns – by-election held May 2025[9]
- May 2025: Paul Hawkaluk (Reform) gains by-election from Labour[10]
- January 2026:
Results
Brighouse
Elland
Greetland
Halifax Town
Hebden Bridge & Todmorden East
Hipperholme & Lightcliffe
Illingworth & Mixenden
Luddendenfoot
Northowram & Shelf
Ovenden
Park
Rastrick
Ryburn
Salterhebble, Southowram & Skircoat Green
Sowerby Bridge
Todmorden West
Wainhouse
Warley
References
- ^ Includes the vacant seats in Brighouse and Hipperholme & Lightcliff last held by the Conservatives.
- ^ "Calderdale Council Composition: Latest". opencouncildata.co.uk. Open Council Data UK. Archived from the original on 10 February 2026. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ "BBC News - Election 2011 - England council elections - Calderdale". BBC News. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Election Results 1973-2012" (PDF). Elections Centre. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "Election results: Labour gains Calderdale Council". 3 May 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ The Calderdale (Electoral Changes) Order 2024.
- ^ Greenwood, John (14 September 2024). "Calderdale councillor prompts by-election by stepping down to become MP". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Calder Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Greaves, Andrew (26 February 2025). "Labour disappointment as councillor defects to Reform UK despite previous support for 'progressive issues'". The Calderdale Lead. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Fitton, Sarah (14 March 2025). "Election in store for Halifax residents as Calderdale councillor announces he is resigning". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Skircoat Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Fitton, Sarah (15 January 2026). "Shock and sadness as sitting Calderdale councillor who served for 25 years 'and always put his ward first' dies". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Fitton, Sarah (14 January 2026). "Calderdale Tory councillor defects to Reform UK". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Fitton, Sarah (29 January 2026). "'Calderdale is a better place for all she did for it': Sitting councillor who was 'one of Calderdale's most dedicated' has died". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 29 January 2026.