2026 Merton London Borough Council election

Main article: Merton London Borough Council elections
2026 Merton London Borough Council election
7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)
All 57 seats to Merton London Borough Council
29 seats needed for a majority
 
Leader Ross Garrod Anthony Fairclough Nick McLean
Party Labour Liberal Democrats Conservative
Last election 31 seats, 42.3% 17 seats, 25.0% 7 seats, 26.1%
Current seats 30[1] 17[a] 7
 
Leader Edward Foley
Party Merton Park RA Independent
Last election 2 seats, 2.1% Did not stand
Current seats 2 1
Ward map of Merton London Borough Council.
Incumbent Leader

Ross Garrod
Labour



The 2026 Merton London Borough Council election will take place on 7 May 2026.[2] All 57 members of Merton London Borough Council will be elected. The elections will take place alongside local elections in the other London boroughs and elections to local authorities across the United Kingdom.[3]

Background

In 2022, Labour held control of Merton Council[4] although their leader lost his seat to the Liberal Democrats who became the official opposition on the Council for the first time.[5] In January 2026, the pollster Lord Hayward suggested that the Liberal Democrats could mount a significant challenge to Labour in Merton at the 2026 local elections, suggesting the borough was one where the party could potentially take control.[6]

Previous council composition

  • Council composition after the 2022 election
  • Council composition As of March 2026
After 2022 election Before 2026 election After 2026 election
Party Seats Party Seats Party Seats
Labour 31 Labour 30
Liberal Democrats 17 Liberal Democrats 16
Conservative 7 Conservative 7
Merton Park RA 2 Merton Park RA 2
Independent 0 Independent 1
Vacant N/A Vacant 1

Changes 2022–2026:

  • January 2024: Caroline Charles (Labour) suspended from party[7]
  • May 2024: Natasha Irons (Labour) and Helena Dollimore (Labour) resign – by-elections held July 2024[8]
  • July 2024: Franca Ofeimu (Labour) and Shuile Syeda (Labour) win by-elections[9][10]
  • January 2026: Jenifer Gould (Liberal Democrats) resigns – seat left vacant until 2026 election[11]

Results by ward

Notes

  1. ^ Includes the vacant seat in Cannon Hill that was last held by the Liberal Democrats.

References

  1. ^ "Merton Council Composition: Latest". opencouncildata.co.uk. Open Council Data UK. Archived from the original on 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  2. ^ "Local elections in London will test support for Reform UK and Greens". BBC News. 1 January 2026. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Number of councils that have requested delay to local elections revealed - is yours one of them?". Sky News. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Merton result - Local Elections 2022". BBC News. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Labour unable to celebrate far from perfect Merton win as Lib Dems claim major scalp". Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Exclusive: Labour facing 'fierce battles' to keep hold of at least 12 London boroughs in May local elections". Retrieved 13 February 2026.
  7. ^ Mendonça, Susana; Kelly, James (27 January 2024). "Merton Labour councillor quits over Israel-Gaza posts". BBC News. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  8. ^ Galliven, Harrison (30 May 2024). "Councillors resign to become MPs with one going for seat 65 miles away". My London. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Figge's Marsh Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — St Helier Ward". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  11. ^ Galliven, Harrison (9 January 2026). "Merton Lib Dem councillor resigns as family leaves UK". My London. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
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