2026 Eastleigh Borough Council election

2026 Eastleigh Borough Council election

7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)

14 out of 39 seats to Eastleigh Borough Council
20 seats needed for a majority
 
Leader Keith House Louise Parker-Jones Steven Broomfield
Party Liberal Democrats Independent Conservative
Last election 35 seats, 47.7% 3 seats, 6.7% 1 seat, 24.9%
Current seats 35 3 1

Incumbent Leader

Keith House
Liberal Democrats



The 2026 Eastleigh Borough Council election will be held on 7 May 2026, alongside the other local elections across the United Kingdom being held on the same day, to elect 14 of 39 members of Eastleigh Borough Council in Hampshire, England.[1] Members of the Eastleigh town council will also be elected.[2]

Background

In 2024, the Liberal Democrats retained control of the council.[3]

Council composition

After 2024 election Before 2026 election
Party Seats Party Seats
Liberal Democrats 35 Liberal Democrats 35
Independent 3 Independent 3
Conservative 1 Conservative 1

Changes 2024–2026:

  • January 2025: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrats) resigns – by-election held March 2025[4]
  • March 2025: Prad Bains (Liberal Democrats) wins by-election[5]
  • April 2025:
    • Bhavin Dedhia (Liberal Democrats) resigns – by-election held May 2025[6]
    • Jane Welsh (Liberal Democrats) dies – by-election held May 2025[7]
  • May 2025:
    • Mark Harding (Liberal Democrats) wins by-election[8]
    • John Shepherd (Liberal Democrats) wins by-election[9]

Election result

2026 Eastleigh Borough Council election
Party This election Full council This election
Seats Net Seats % Other Total Total % Votes Votes % +/−
  Liberal Democrats 22
  Independent 2
  Conservative 1
  Labour 0
  Green 0
  Reform UK 0

Incumbents

Ward Incumbent councillor Party Re-standing
Bishopstoke Louise Parker-Jones Independent
Botley Rupert Kyrle Liberal Democrats
Bursledon & Hound North Tonia Craig Liberal Democrats
Chandler's Ford Alan Broadhurst Liberal Democrats
Eastleigh Central Cameron Spencer Liberal Democrats
Eastleigh North Steve Beer Liberal Democrats
Eastleigh South Paul Bicknell Liberal Democrats
Fair Oak & Horton Heath Nicolas Couldrey Liberal Democrats
Hamble & Netley Prad Bains Liberal Democrats
Hedge End North Leigh Hadaway Liberal Democrats
Hedge End South John Shepherd Liberal Democrats
Hiltingbury Maud Attrill Liberal Democrats
West End North Bruce Tennant Liberal Democrats
West End South Janice Asman Liberal Democrats

Candidates

References

  1. ^ "Borough elections and results | Eastleigh Borough Council". www.eastleigh.gov.uk. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  2. ^ "Two councils to merge as fresh local elections set for 2026". Daily Echo. 19 November 2025. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Full list of results for Eastleigh Borough Council elections". Daily Echo. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  4. ^ Marshall, Ross (28 January 2025). "Eastleigh MP Liz Jarvis steps down as councillor". Daily Echo. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Hamble and Netley Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  6. ^ Slominski, Stephen (2 April 2025). "Another by-election called in Eastleigh Central as councillor steps down". Eastleigh News. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  7. ^ Slominski, Stephen (26 March 2025). "Jane Welsh, long-serving Hedge End councillor and former mayor, has died". Eastleigh News. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Eastleigh Central Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Hedge End South Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 16 February 2026.