2026 West Sussex County Council election
7 May 2026
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The 2026 West Sussex County election is due to take place on 7 May 2026 to elect members to West Sussex County Council in West Sussex, England.[1] All 70 seats will be elected. This will be on the same day as other local elections.
Background
At the 2021 election, the Conservatives won an outright majority of seats.[2]
Council composition
| After 2021 election | Before 2026 election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Seats | Party | Seats | ||
| Conservative | 48 | Conservative | 40 | ||
| Liberal Democrats | 10 | Liberal Democrats | 10 | ||
| Labour | 9 | Labour | 8 | ||
| Green | 1 | Green | 2[a] | ||
| Reform UK | 0 | Reform UK | 4 | ||
| Local Alliance | 1 | Local Alliance | 1[a] | ||
| Independent | 1 | Independent | 4[a] | ||
| Vacant | N/A | Vacant | 1 | ||
Changes 2021–2026:
- October 2021: Mike Magill (Conservative) resigns – by-election held November 2021[3]
- November 2021: Andrew Kerry-Bedell (Liberal Democrats) gains by-election from Conservatives[4]
- June 2022: Beccy Cooper (Labour) resigns – by-election held July 2022[5]
- July 2022:
- September 2022: Jaine Wild (Independent) gains by-election from Conservatives[8]
- March 2023: Liz Bennett (Conservative) resigns – by-election held May 2023[9]
- May 2023: John Dabell (Conservative) wins by-election[10]
- June 2024: Gary Markwell (Conservative) and Trevor Bence (Conservative) leave party to sit as independents[11][12]
- September 2024: Gary Markwell (Independent) joins Reform[13]
- October 2024: Trevor Bence (Independent) joins Reform[14]
- November 2024: Julian Joy (Liberal Democrats) leaves party to sit as an independent[15]
- December 2024: Paul Linehan (Conservative) joins Reform[16]
- January 2025: Andrew Baldwin (Conservative) joins Reform[17]
- February 2025: Andrew Kerry-Bedell (Liberal Democrats) joins Greens[18]
- March 2025: Kate O'Kelly (Liberal Democrats) resigns – by-election held May 2025[19]
- April 2025:
- John Milne (Liberal Democrats) resigns – by-election held May 2025[20]
- Stuart Condie (Liberal Democrats) and Kirsty Lord (Liberal Democrats) resign – by-elections held June 2025
- Katie Nagel (Conservative) resigns – by-election held June 2025[21]
- May 2025: Yvonne Gravely (Liberal Democrats) and Louise Potter (Liberal Democrats) win by-elections[22][23]
- June 2025:
- July 2025: David Britton (Conservative) leaves party to sit as an independent[27]
- September 2025: Graham McKnight (Labour) leaves party to sit as an independent[28]
- January 2026: David Britton (Independent) resigns – seat left vacant until 2026 election[29]
Results by division
Adur
Arun
Chichester
Crawley
Horsham
Mid Sussex
Worthing
See also
Notes
References
- ^ "Election timetable in England". Electoral Commission. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Elections 2021: Conservatives hold Sussex county councils". BBC News. 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Penyffordd them?". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Bourne Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Dunn, Karen (7 June 2022). "Labour county councillor steps down after becoming Worthing Borough Council leader". SussexWorld. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Worthing West Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Hubbard, Jessica (6 July 2022). "Tributes to Barnham and Felpham councillor - 'he was a man of great character'". SussexWorld. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Felpham Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Lib Dems' successful try at Murrayfield". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — East Grinstead Meridian Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. ""What Comes Next?"". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Labour's win is Clydebuilt". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Crane forward to see a Tory gain". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Super Thursday results special". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "St Helens glaze over for Reform". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Greenhithe feels in need of Reform". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "A Torridge time". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "SNP move in for the Killie". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Dunn, Karen (18 March 2025). "Midhurst councillor steps down so residents get chance to vote". SussexWorld. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Hendy, Lesley (8 April 2025). "Political opinion: John Milne MP leaves West Sussex County Council role". SussexWorld. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Reform go to Bognor". LocalCouncils.co.uk.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Midhurst Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Horsham Riverside Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Burgess Hill North Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — Hassocks and Burgess Hill South Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Local Elections Archive Project — St Leonard's Forest Division". www.andrewteale.me.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Reform resignation gets a Pert response". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Six changes out of six". LocalCouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "No lack of Green Party talent in Derbyshire". www.localcouncils.co.uk. Retrieved 19 February 2026.