2026 Hampshire County Council election

2026 Hampshire County Council election
7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)
All 78 seats to Hampshire County Council
40 seats needed for a majority
 
Party Conservative Liberal Democrats Independent
Last election 56 seats, 50.7% 17 seats, 26.8% 1 seat, 1.6%
Current seats 49 19 4
 
Party Labour Green WBCP
Last election 3 seats, 12.6% 0 seats, 4.4% 1 seat, 0.5%
Current seats 3 1 1
 
Party Reform UK
Last election 0 seats, 0.3%
Current seats 1
Incumbent Leader

Nick Adams-King
Conservative



Main article: Hampshire County Council elections

The 2026 Hampshire County Council election is due to take place on 7 May 2026 to Hampshire County Council in Hampshire, England.[1] This will be on the same day as other local elections.

Background

At the 2021 election, the Conservatives won a majority of seats.[2] In May 2024, Nick Adams-King became the new council leader.[3] This was amid a public consultation on cuts worth £132m from the council budget by April 2025.[4]

Council composition

After 2021 election Before 2026 election
Party Seats Party Seats
Conservative 56 Conservative 49
Liberal Democrats 17 Liberal Democrats 19
Labour 3 Labour 3
WBCP 1 WBCP 1
Green 0 Green 1
Reform UK 0 Reform UK 1
Independent 1 Independent 4

Changes 2021–2026:

  • March 2023:
    • Gary Hughes (Conservative) resigns – by-election held May 2023[5]
    • Alexis McEvoy (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent[6]
  • May 2023:
    • Ryan Brent (Conservative) wins by-election[7]
    • Sarah Pankhurst (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent[8]
  • September 2023: Prad Bains (Conservative) joins Liberal Democrats[9]
  • March 2024: Seán Woodward (Conservative) and Hugh Lumby (Conservative) resign – by-elections held May 2024[10][11]
  • May 2024: Malcolm Wallace (Green) gains by-election from Conservatives;[12] Joanne Burton (Conservative) wins by-election[13]
  • September 2024: Rob Humby (Conservative) resigns – by-election held October 2024[14]
  • October 2024: Jonathan Williams (Liberal Democrats) gains by-election from Conservatives[15]
  • January 2025: Neville Penman (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent[16]
  • March 2025: Dominic Hiscock (Liberal Democrats) and Adrian Collett (Liberal Democrats) resign – by-election held May 2025[17][18]
  • May 2025: Stuart Bailey (Liberal Democrats) and Paula Ferguson (Liberal Democrats) win by-elections[19][20]
  • October 2025: Barry Dunning (Conservative) joins Reform[21]

References

  1. ^ "Election timetable in England". Electoral Commission. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  2. ^ "Elections 2021: Conservatives win majority in Southampton". BBC News. 2021-05-08. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  3. ^ "Hampshire County Council: New leader will be Nick Adams-King". BBC News. 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  4. ^ "Thousands have a say on Hampshire County Council plans to cut £132m". BBC News. 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
  5. ^ "Notice of Vacancy for Purbrook and Stakes South County Electoral Division". Hampshire County Council. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  6. ^ Burrell, Miriam (21 March 2023). "Tory councillor quits after calling Ian Wright a 'typical Black hypocrite'". The Standard. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Purbrook and Stakes South Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  8. ^ Paine, Toby (17 May 2023). "New political balance at Fareham Borough Council following the resignation". The News. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  9. ^ Boothroyd, David. "Tories take seat from Surrey Greens". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  10. ^ Boothroyd, David. "The Dream shall never Dye". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  11. ^ Atkinson, Christopher (9 April 2024). "'My heart said to soldier on': County councillor steps down due to health issues". Hampshire Chronicle. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  12. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Meon Valley Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  13. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Fareham Sarisbury Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  14. ^ Boothroyd, David. "Crane forward to see a Tory gain". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  15. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Bishops Waltham Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  16. ^ Yandell, Chris (27 January 2025). "Popular councillor denies he has been 'dropped' by Tories". Daily Echo. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  17. ^ Boothroyd, David. "Ready when you are, Ms McGill". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  18. ^ Boothroyd, David. "Redbridge a little less, or more, red?". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  19. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Winchester Eastgate Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  20. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Yateley East and Blackwater Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  21. ^ Hudson, Emily; Needs, Noni; Woodward, Amy (7 October 2025). "Hampshire and Dorset councillors defect from the Tories to Reform UK". BBC News. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
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