2026 Winchester City Council election

2026 Winchester City Council election

7 May 2026 (2026-05-07)

15 out of 45 seats to Winchester City Council
23 seats needed for a majority
 
Leader Martin Tod Caroline Horrill
Party Liberal Democrats Conservative
Last election 33 seats, 47.7% 8 seats, 31.3%
Current seats 32[1] 8

 
Party Green Independent
Last election 3 seats, 14.4% 1 seat, 1.5%
Current seats 4 1

Incumbent Leader

Martin Tod
Liberal Democrats



The 2026 Winchester City 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 16 of 32 members of Winchester City Council in Hampshire, England.[2][3]

Due to ongoing local government reorganisation, this will be the final election to Winchester City Council before it is abolished and replaced by a successor unitary authority. Elections to the successor authority are due to take place in 2027.

Summary

Background

In 2024, the Liberal Democrats retained control of the council with an increased majority.[4][5]

Election result

2026 Winchester City Council election
Party This election Full council This election
Seats Net Seats % Other Total Total % Votes Votes % +/−
  Liberal Democrats 23
  Conservative 4
  Green 3
  Independent 0
  Labour 0
  Reform UK 0

Incumbents

Ward Incumbent councillor Party Re-standing
Alresford & Itchen Valley Margot Power Liberal Democrats
Badger Farm &
Oliver's Battery
Brian Laming Liberal Democrats
Bishop's Waltham Steve Miller Conservative
Central Meon Valley Malcolm Wallace Green
Colden Common & Twyford Susan Cook[a] Independent
Denmead Caroline Brook Conservative
Southwick & Wickham Neil Cutler Liberal Democrats
St Barnabas James Batho Liberal Democrats
St Bartholomew Kathleen Becker Liberal Democrats
St Michael Mark Reach Liberal Democrats
St Paul Lucille Thompson Liberal Democrats
The Worthys Jackie Porter Liberal Democrats
Upper Meon Valley Neil Bolton Conservative
Whiteley & Shedfield Anne Small Liberal Democrats
Wonston & Micheldever Patrick Cunningham Conservative

Candidates

References

  1. ^ Originally elected as a Conservative, but subsequently left the party to sit as an Independent.
  1. ^ "Winchester Council Composition: Latest". opencouncildata.co.uk. Open Council Data UK. Archived from the original on 5 February 2026. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  2. ^ "Elections should go ahead - unanimous agreement". Winchester City Council. 15 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Voters across Hampshire will head to the polls as local elections set to go ahead". Hampshire Chronicle. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Lib Dems reign supreme in Winchester as Conservatives lose four seats". Hampshire Chronicle. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Winchester result - Local Elections 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 30 January 2026.